AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you like Blake?” I ask curiously, resting my cheek on her hair.
She pauses. “He’s nice. Good-looking. Single, though he’s kind of a man-whore. There was a time I’d have had dinner with him without a second thought. But that part of me feels dead now. There’s nothing about him that makes me feel… passionate. There’s nothing about anyone that makes me feel that way anymore.”
This is what Charlie didn’t want to discuss. I can tell she’s mortified; heat radiates from her face as she buries it in my chest to avoid looking at me. I ignore it, knowing if I tell her to relax, it will only embarrass her.
I keep my tone casual. “Maybe it’s like riding a bike. Once you get more comfortable with someone, it’ll come back to you.”
“Maybe.” I hear her skepticism.
“You said he’s nice. You know him, and he thinks you’re worth getting to know better.”
She purses her lips. “He saw me have a panic attack once. He was flirting, and he brushed his hand across my cheek, and I – well, Tom came in and realized what was happening and talked me through it.” She sighs. “So Blake’s seen a glimpse of the shitshow.” Then she chuckles. “Tom broke his nose for upsetting me, even though he didn't do it on purpose. He gave him two black eyes and said I was like his sister, and if he ever upset me again, he’d beat his ass even worse.”
I make a mental note to thank Tom for looking out for her. “So Blake’s seen you have a panic attack, and he still wants to have dinner with you. That should count for something, right?”
She wavers for a second. “Maybe,” she says again.
“If you think he might be your type, even if you don’t feel passionate, you can still test the waters. Have dinner. Or meet for a cup of coffee, if that would be easier. Or hell, tell him you aren’t interested. Just because Blake’s interested doesn’t mean you’re required to say yes. Don’t go out with anyone you’re not comfortable with. Coffee and conversation are relatively harmless, though, right?”
She hesitates. “I guess.”
I laugh aloud. “You might want to show a little more enthusiasm with your dates.”
She wraps her arms around me more tightly. “Thank you.”
I kiss her hair. “See, this wasn’t so bad. Two mature adults, talking about passion and relationships. No awkwardness.”
“I was fine until you suggested sock puppets," she mutters.
I laugh again. “It got you talking, didn’t it?”
She leans back and eyes me, all tension gone, replaced with an impish grin. “It did indeed. Now, I’d like to talk to you about my menstrual cycle.”
CHARLIE
By the time I get to work Wednesday morning, Lila’s already told Tom about Blake asking me to dinner. I glare at the two of them when I walk in and find them discussing it in the communal kitchen over coffee.
“Really? You just spill the details of my personal life, just like that?” I flop down at the table and reach for her coffee cup, stealing a sip.
Lila rolls her eyes. “Please. How many mornings have we discussed your Whiners? Tom’s almost as invested as I am. Besides, he knows Blake better than either of us. Don’t you think you should get his opinion?”
Her point is annoyingly valid. I turn to Tom. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
I tilt my head. “Aren’t you the one who wanted to vet my dates? Here’s your chance.”
He takes a deep breath, contemplating.
“The fact you’re taking so long isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement,” Lila says dryly.
He shoots her a look. “After some of your selections, I think one of us should take the time to consider every angle.”
She frowns. “I choose them based on their profiles. I can’t help it if they deliberately skew things in their favor.”
“That’s why the app is a bad idea,” Tom counters, turning to me. “Blake’s been hounding me for months to encourage you to have dinner with him. I’ve refused because I don’t want to get involved. Honestly, though, after hearing about some of the guys you’ve been out with? You could do a lot worse than Blake. Besides, it’s just one dinner.”
“I’m considering it,” I admit. “But what’s the deal with that four-day weekend you mentioned?”
