She turns on her heel and heads inside.
I stand rooted in my spot, wondering how the hell I’m going to get out of this bind I put myself in.
Chapter 7
Ainsley
Asweat-soaked, generously helpful Dean is a dangerous Dean.
I was fully prepared to fumble my way through creating my garden, but I have to say, having his help was a welcome surprise. Seeing his muscled body through his thin shirt was no hardship, either.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
I’m supposed to be going to my parents’ house for dinner, but I feel like I need to talk to someone before I go so I don’t accidentally let my small crush on Dean slip to my dad. Lord knows he would make it his personal mission to hook us up, and that’s the last thing I need right now.
I grab my phone and send a text to Larkin.
Me:
So, I need you to talk me out of my crush.
Larkin:
Crush? Who?
Me:
Dean. I don’t know his last name. This hot guy I’ve run into a few times. He’s like … drop-dead gorgeous. Dark hair, a little longer on the top. Bright blue eyes and a little dimple on his chin. And he’s super tall.
Larkin:
Okay. Why do I need to talk you out of it?
Me:
Because my life is a shitshow, and I definitely don’t need to be crushing on a man right now.
Larkin:
What if you just use this as an opportunity to get laid? Release some stress and take advantage of the situation presenting itself.
Larkin used to be a party girl until she gave Theo a chance, but that’s a whole other story. When she wasn’t with him, she had regular hook-ups and unapologetically left them as her booty calls. I’ve never judged her for the way she lived her life. If anything, I was jealous of how secure she was. My finance job didn’t leave time for me to sow my wild oats, though. Vibrators have done me well so far in life, so I figured I’d just keep my routine going. But Dean is making me question things.
Me:
I don’t think I can hook up with him. Hell, he may not even want that.
Larkin:
What’s holding you back from 1) asking him, and 2) actually hooking up with him?
Me:
I don’t have a suitable answer except that I’m a chickenshit and scared of fucking up my life evenmore.
Larkin:
A reasonable fear. You know, you don’t have to decide right this second. You can take your time getting to know him and go from there. There is no right answer.
