"Well, I suppose I could go out on a date with him if my queen accompanies me."
I reach for the curtain, tugging it open to glare at him. "No."
Sitting on the toilet and eyeing me with enthusiasm, he claps his hands together in a prayer-like position. "Please. You know I don't do dating well. They don't like me when they realise I only have a one-track mind."
I lift a blonde brow at him, my expression dubious. "They do like you. You have issues with liking yourself."
He scrunches up his face as if he's just eaten a lemon. "What cockamamie is this? I love myself. Haven't you read my diary?"
I close the curtain to finish shaving my legs. "You just wanted to say cockamamie."
"Never had an opening before. I just took it."
Sighing, I think about how very few people get to know Toni. Beneath the BS, innuendos, and mockery, there is a really considerate and loyal person. "You struggle to accept that you have more to offer than your hot bod?—”
"Eww. No. Stop it," he mocks.
"You can do this on your own," I press, but I can feel my resolve slipping.
"Please."
"I'd be a third wheel. It'd beweird."
"He has a hot friend named Luke," he says, hope lifting his voice a decimal.
I cringe and put the razor back on the ceramic shelf. "Toni. You know I hate it when you try to hook me up with people."
"It's not a hook up," he assures me. "Just people getting to know each other. Just like you said."
"Oh my God." I give my body a final rise off. "How did I get roped into this?"
"Ropes won't be involved." He laughs. "Luke's a cop as well. He'd probably use handcuffs."
I roll my eyes even though he can't see them. "Not helping, Toni."
"My, my. You get Max Butcher's attention once and you're a Mean Girl."
I don't know what to say to that.
He continues, "Come on, darlin’. You'll have fun. Meet new people. Maybe get your fanny wet?"
Feigning disgust, I wrinkle my nose. "Stop it. Or I definitely won't be going."
"So, you're saying yes then?"
I squeeze my eyes shut and sigh. "You're a suck hole."
"Yes, we have established that already."
Pulling the curtain all the way back this time to stare at him, I warn, "No pressure!"
"No pressure. Is that a yes?" He smiles, lips set in a wide and triumphant curve.
"Fine." I exhale in defeat and turn the water off. "But it's not a date!"
Water splashes into the tub and down the drain as I quickly ring out my hair. As soon as I step from the shower and look at Toni, he's grinning at me with wide hopeful eyes. I tilt my head at him and wrap myself in a towel before wandering into my room to get dressed. "I said fine. Now go home," I say as I riffle through my clothes. "I've got to meet Dillion in my studio."
Toni suddenly appears at my shoulder. "I know. That's why I'm still here. Can I watch? He's so yummy."
