Mike huffed out a laugh. “Three months. I’ve had rashes that lasted longer than that.”
When I didn’t answer, he turned toward me and saw the horror on my face. “What?” he asked with a shrug.
I shook my head. “It’s a wonder you get women to fall for you.”
He smirked and turned off the burner. Holding his hand out for the plates near me, I watched as he spooned generousservings onto each one. The smell of ginger and sesame oil filled the small kitchen.
“It’s all in the confidence. Women appreciate a man who isn’t afraid to tell her how he feels.” He joined me at the table.
The sound of forks scraping plates was the background noise as I let my thoughts float back to Leyla.
“I stand by my plan. For me to come right out and tell her how I’d like to date her is like skipping steps in an experiment. You just can’t do that.Ican’t do that.”
Mike put down his fork and stared. “This is a woman you’ve been pining over for almost a decade, dude. Haven’t you waited long enough?”
I pushed my hair off my forehead. “You sound like Defne. Okay. Let’s just say you’re right, which I’m not admitting to yet,” I warned. “Tell me what you’d do.”
He rubbed his hands together quickly, looking like a mad scientist with that evil glare. Regret came immediately.
“Hmm. So now that she knows more about you, and you told her that she matters to you, let’s use it to your advantage.”
I shoved his shoulder. “I’m not tricking her into liking me, Mike. That’s childish.”
He rolled his eyes, then patted me on the arm. “Shut up and learn from the master. Think of me as Yoda, and you’re Luke Skywalker.”
“Great, now we’re changing genres that you’re obsessed with.Point Breaksurfing references to mind-melding science fiction characters,” I said with a scoff, resuming my eating.
“First of all, wrong reference. That’s Star Trek, not Star Wars, and second of all, just shut up and listen. When my brilliant plan works, you can thank me at the wedding,” Mike said with a stupidly wide grin, his eyebrows waggling in double time.
My ridiculous best friend must’ve known the idea of winning Leyla’s heart and pursuing a relationship that would end inmarriage would get my attention. “Fine. What did you have in mind?”
“Easy. Admit to her that you’re awkward around women,” he said around another bite, making happy noises at the taste of his food.
“So tell her I’m no good at relationships. Brilliant,” I deadpanned.
“You’re not seeing the big picture here. Tell her that you’re nervous around women, which is the truth, and ask for her help.”
I put down my fork and looked at him. “That makes no sense. How could I win her over by proving I’m not relationship material? That’s humiliating.”
“Ah, little Padawan. Listen and learn from the master. Tell Leyla you’re interested in a woman and that you’d like her to help you overcome your shyness to win her over. She doesn’t have to know it’sheryou’re talking about.” He threw up his hands as if saying ‘voila, problem solved.’
My eyes narrowed as I let his idea sink in. “What exactly am I asking her to do?”
“I don’t know. Maybe be like your dating coach. Go on pretend dates as a ruse to spend time with her, let her see how great you are,” he answered, booping me on the nose like a child. Backing away from him, I growled.
“That has to be the dumbest thing you’ve ever come up with. More ridiculous than your idea to invite several women to join your one-on-one ‘study group.’”
Mike smiled at the memory. “I was hedging my bets and hopingoneof them would show up. How’d I know all six would?”
“They thought they were there for help in biochemistry, not you with candles and John Legend playing in the background,”I said with disdain, doubling down on my resolve not to take relationship advice from this man.
“I wish you could’ve seen their faces. Still have the scar from the brunette who clocked me in the chin with a textbook.”
“Like I said. Ridiculous.”
I couldn’t help but join in his laughter. It was beyond me how he could charm so many women. He was a great guy, but an overgrown child back then and maybe even still now.
“Hey, don’t hate on my ideas. Cynthia actually stayed, and we ended up dating for a few months. She was so beautiful,” he said, his eyes glazing over.
