“No. But it sounds like we’re both having a rough day.”
I raise my brows. “I hope yours isn’t as bad as mine. Because I’m fucked.”
Am I being devious? Yes.
Do I feel guilty? No.
What’s a man to do when he yearns for a woman? Play dirty, of course.
She crosses her arms. “My production got canceled for the day because of an overly dramatic actress. I’m not fucked, but I’m irritated.”
I make a face likeAhbefore stretching my arms across the back of the couch. “My sous bailed on me for the farmers’ market. So now I have to push training my crew.”
She returns theAhface.
“But I still have to go pick up the ingredients,” I toss out, laying the groundwork. “I need two of me, ya know?”
I chuckle, but internally, I’m patting myself on the back because I’m masterful right now. I’ve got her right where I want her.
“Yeah, well, good luck with that,” she says, turning around. “I’m going back to bed.”
Fuck. No.
I shoot to my feet. “Maybe you could help me?”
You’re a dumb prick, Chase Beckett.She turns back around, the look on her face like she’s smelled shit.
“Why . . . ? Nooo.”
“You’re off work, though,” I blurt out. She narrows her eyes, so I add, “I just need an extra set of hands.”
Her lips part, but she doesn’t say no, so I keep going. “I’ll buy you a smoothie while we’re there. It’s legitimately for like an hour.”
“Still no.”
I walk around the couch toward where she’s standing. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but it would be really decent of you ... you know, in the spirit of a new friendship?”
It’s a reach, but I really hope I scored some points the other night, or, at the very least, I make her feel guilty enough for leaving me to eat alone.
She groans, scrunching her nose before rolling her eyes. “Fine. Okay.”
“Yeah?” I clap my hands together.
She begrudgingly nods. “Yes. Just let me change. Give me ten minutes.”
I smile, trying not to look too enthusiastic. “I need a shower, so I’ll meet ya back here in ten. It’s a date.”
Shit.I hear it the moment it comes out of my mouth.
Evie points at me, her forehead wrinkling. “Oh my god. Nice try. Forget it. No. I should’ve known better.”
“It’s a figure of speech,” I rush out as she turns and walks toward her room with me on her heels. “I swear. I just need the help. And for the record, I’m gonna try and not be offended that you think I’m undatable, as well as thinking I’d plan the farmers’ market as a first date.”
She spins back around, forcing me to almost skid to a stop as I say the last part.
“—I’m a lot of things, but unromantic is not one of them.”
Oh man, I’m floundering and digging myself deeper in this hole.
