Page 21 of The Daddy’s Girl

Amelia: No. Tell her you grew up here. Then ask her where she’s from. Ask her what she does for a living. Or where her favorite spot in the city is. Just get to know her.

He doesn’t respond as I start the shower and strip out of my clothes. Stepping into the large claw-foot tub, I bring my phone with me. I keep an eye on it as I lather my hair and wait for his text.

But instead of texting, it starts to ring.

I swipe the call and put it on speaker. “Hey.”

“Hey. What’s that sound? Are you in the shower?” he asks, hearing the water running in the background.

“Yes. What’s up?”

He clears his throat, hesitating with his response. “She keeps asking me questions.”

“You really are bad at this, aren’t you?” My voice is laced with humor, and I hear him chuckling through the line.

“I’m hopeless.”

“Okay, what did she ask?”

“She asked what I do for a living. Should I tell her about the club, or do you think that will scare her away?”

“Hmm…” I think for a moment as I rinse the shampoo from my hair. “Tell her you’re retired. Don’t lead with the sex club.”

“Okay, I told her.”

“Ask her something in return. You should finish every line with a question, so she knows you’re really interested in her.”

“You’re very good at this,” he says.

I hear him typing as I squirt conditioner in my hand and slide it through my short strands.

“Yeah, too bad I don’t have any matches of my own to put these good skills to use.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be on dating apps, Trouble,” he mumbles casually. I hear him doing something in the background, like pouring himself a drink or fixing something to eat.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask. “How else am I supposed to find dates?”

This makes him laugh. “Believe it or not, but we used to find dates all the time without apps. Well, not me. I found lovers. But you know what I mean.”

“Okay, you’re no help.”

“I’m only saying,” he replies through his laughter. “A man should have to work for you. This makes it too easy.”

“That’s sweet, but I’m still single. I have to meet men somewhere.”

He lets out a disgruntled sound, making me smile. He acts as if he truly hates the idea of me dating at all, but he’s the one who proposed this arrangement. If Matis doesn’t want me with anyone, then what does he want? For me to be alone for the rest of my life? How is that fair?

“How is the conversation going with the lady in blue?” I ask to change the subject.

“Very good,” he says. “We have been chatting, and I haven’t tried to sleep with her yet. You are a very good teacher.”

Letting out a sad laugh, I run soap slowly over my body as I realize all I truly did was tell Matis to ask her questions. I’m hardly a teacher.

“Well, keep it up. After a few days of chatting, you can ask her out.”

“It sounds so long,” he complains.

“Well, you’re looking for someone to spend the rest of your life with, remember? If a few days sound grueling, I don’t think they’re the right one for you.”