Page 46 of The Rules of Dating

Colby: Because it doesn’t matter.

Billie: It matters to me.

After about a minute, he texted back.

Colby: You think I like coming across as a jealous bastard? This is not a good look, and I know it. I debated whether I should text you. But people do stupid things when they like someone. And I truly like you, Billie. I like you so much that I can’t even think straight right now. I put fucking hot sauce in my daughter’s spaghetti, thinking it was mine. Thank God I caught it before I burned her mouth off.

I just stood there staring down at my phone. My heart hurt.

Colby: Don’t text back. This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have interrupted your night. You don’t owe me anything.

Then one more.

Colby: Goodnight.

My legs were wobbly as I forced myself back to the table. Then I looked to my left and spotted Holden at the bar. His eyes locked with mine, and he lifted his beer in salute. He was the one sending information to Colby. I waved, though I really wanted to give him the finger.

CHAPTER 11

Billie

“Billie?”

I heard Deek call my name but was only sort of half listening. “Hmmm?”

“I’m going to run out and get a smoothie. You want one?”

I continued to sterilize the equipment I’d been cleaning for a while until a high-pitched whistle grabbed my attention. I looked up to find Deek with his brows raised.

“You want one or not?”

My nose wrinkled. “Want what?”

Deek folded his arms over his chest. “Alright, that’s it. Sit your ass down.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you and me, we’re going to have a talk.”

“Why do you sound like you’re in dad mode?”

“Just sit, Billie.”

I rolled my eyes but tossed the paper towel in my hand into the garbage before planting my butt in my hydraulic chair. “What’s up?”

Deek pointed at me. “You’re fucking miserable.”

“I am not.”

“You’ve been cleaning crap for almost two weeks now. You’re the person who spills shit and leaves it long enough that you yell at someone else to clean it up because you no longer remember you did it.”

I squinted at him. “I do not.”

Deek turned his head toward the front of the store. “Hey, Justine!”

“Yeah?”

“Who spilled the purple juice that sat on the floor for six months?”