“Really?”
“Mm-hmm. They played for the same team in college and were ultra-competitive. A few years later, Nathan started dating DeVries’ ex-girlfriend. I guess he wasn’t over her and thought Nathan only did it to fuck with his head. It got messy. And now he hates me by proxy.”
Maya’s eyes light up. “Do you have his number? We can add it to a telemarketer’s list so he’s bombarded with spam calls.”
I chuckle into her neck. “Let’s not talk about him anymore. How was Goose? Did he give you any trouble?”
She hums, snuggling closer. “He tried to get me to join his pyramid scheme, but other than that, things were great.”
“I should let him borrow myNegotiating for Dummiesbook. Maybe he’ll have better luck next time.”
Maya’s airy laugh snaps the remaining threads of anger I was holding on to.
“Thank you again for watching him,” I say, burying my face in her hair. “I seriously owe you one.”
“You also owe me a date,” she reminds me with a teasing grin.
“I’m going to sleep very well tonight dreaming up ideas for that date.” I tighten my hold on her waist and press a soft kiss beneath the hollow of her ear. “Told you I’d eventually win you over.”
“It took you a while.”
“Even so,” I reassure her, “you’re more than worth the wait.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
maya
With a strangled scream,I throw yet another sweater onto the ground. It doesn’t look any better on me than the last, or the one before that.
Cole told me to dress comfortably for our date, but my version of comfortable isn’t fit for being seen out in public. So I don’t know what to wear. A sweater and leggings? Sweatshirt and yoga pants? Bathrobe and slippers?
“Did you get stuck in a pair of pants?” Kennedy calls from my couch. “Cole’s picking you up soon, and we’re still waiting for a fashion show.”
“Coming!” Frowning into my closet, I snag a navy blue sweater that Ava says is “kind of cute.” She thinks most of my clothes are too baggy or boring, so that’s the highest form of praise I can expect from her.
Kennedy and Sophie cheer as I walk into the living room, and though I roll my eyes at the theatrics, I appreciate the support. They stopped by to help me pick out an outfit. That somehow turned into them rummaging through my wine rack—carefully curated via the highly scientific method of label aesthetics—and picking one to uncork. Well, twist off.
“Cute! The sweater makes your eyes pop.” Sophie scans me from head to toe over the rim of her glass.
“And it makes your titties look good,” Kennedy adds with a wink. “I vote for this outfit.”
“It’s the only outfit we’ve seen,” Sophie points out. “But I vote for it, too.”
Wiping my clammy hands against my jeans, I exhale a deep breath. I’ve never worried so much about what to wear on a date, and I’ve never stressed about how a date might go. Either I like them or I don’t.
But I already like Cole. A lot. And this is a big step. Agreeing to go out with him tonight means I’m officially opening myself up for a world of hurt. In the few months I’ve known him, he’s made himself a steady presence in my life. One that makes me blush, and laugh, and get out of my comfort zone. And the farther I let myself fall, the harder it’ll be to pick myself back up when it’s over.
Kennedy offers me her drink. “You want a sip? You look like you could use it.”
“I’m freaking out,” I blurt out.
“There’s no reason to be nervous.” Sophie gives me a reassuring smile. “Cole’s an amazing guy, and it’s not like you haven’t been on dates with him before.”
“I haven’t.” Frowning, I plop onto the couch between them. “I made it clear I wanted to be friends.”
My friends lean forward as if the move was choreographed and exchange a look. Huffing, Kennedy rolls her eyes. “Maya, I love you, but you and Cole have been dating since you met months ago. You just haven’t been fucking.”
Sophie nods. “She’s right. The only difference is going to be the orgasms. Nothing to be nervous about.”
