Page 31 of Flirting with Trouble

“Then fix it,” Jamison suggests.

“How do you propose I do that?”

“If you want a different outcome, you’ve got to change your approach,” Jamison says. “If you come across as a guy who’s only good for sex, then she’s right to think that’s who you are. Have you tried getting to know her?”

“Yeah, Wells. That’s what I did with Indi,” Archer says about his wife.

“What are you talking about?” I snap. “You and Indi were fuck buddies for months before you got serious.”

Archer smirks. “I was getting to know what she likes in bed. That’s important.”

The guys laugh.

“All I can say is, if you’re that into her, don’t give up,” Brant says. “I had to co-parent a puppy with Cait for her to see me for who I am.”

“I don’t want a fucking puppy,” I grit out. “And I know she’s interested in me. We’ve got a great connection. It’s just that she thinks I’m—”

“A fuck boy,” Fitz supplies unhelpfully.

I glower at him.

“Let’s work on your approach, Wells,” Jamison says. “Pretend I’m her. What’s her name?”

There’s no way I’m giving them her real name. “We’ll call her Cupcake.”

They crack up again.

“Is she a porn star?” Brant asks.

“No. She’s a businesswoman.”

“No woman wants to be called Cupcake,” Jamison says.

“It’s just for now,” I argue. “I don’t really call her that.”

“Fine.” Jamison thrusts out his chest and lifts his chin. “Pretend I’m a woman. You see me at a bar. What do you say to me?”

I walk over to him, trying to put Victory’s face on him, and say, “Hey, sweet thing—” I throw my hands up. “I can’t do it. You’re a dude.”

“Use your imagination,” Jamison says.

I shake my head and huff with frustration.

“I know what the problem is. Jamison makes an ugly woman.” Archer strides over. “I’ll be the chick.” He leans one hand on the kitchen counter, pretends to flip long hair over his shoulder, and sticks his chest out. “Okay. My boobs look fantastic in a tight black dress, and I’ve got a great ass and long legs.” He clears his throat and speaks in a higher voice. “Hi, handsome. I’m Cherry.”

“Hey, sweet…” I shake my head. “I can’t do it. You give off way too much dick energy to be a woman.”

Now we’re all cracking up.

“A’right, you idiots, that’s enough.” Grant shoves Archer out of the way. “Get your fantastic boobs out of here.” He crosses his arms, staring me down. “Jamison is right. You’ve got to change your approach. Both times, you said ‘sweet thing.’ That says you want to sleep with her.”

“I do want to sleep with her,” I say.

“I know,” Grant says exasperatedly. “But you need to put that aside and get to know what makes this woman tick. What she’s interested in and what she likes.”

“Outside the bedroom,” Jamison clarifies.

“I already know what she likes. Work, music, whiskey, family, anything challenging, my sense of humor, dancing, dirty sex—”