Page 118 of Not Dating Material

“He … can’t,” I choke out.

“Ah, so this is what not being hurt looks like.”

Who was I kidding? I haven’t done anything to stop Molly from hurting me, when I’m already in worlds of pain. “Crud. What have I done, Z?”

“Aside from being a dumbass?”

“Not helping. How do I fix this? I’m not good with words, can never get out what I mean when I’m around him.”

“Molly doesn’t need words, he needs action. Just give him what he’s always wanted—someone who loves him enough to fight for him.”

My head spins as I realize that someone is me. I’m in love with him, and the feeling might have snuck up on me, might be completely unwelcome and a total surprise, but now I have it, I never want to give it up.

So time for me to do what I do best. Fight.

Chapter 34

MOLLY

Damien is a perfect gentleman. He looks nice, his smile is nice, he holds the door open for me and even pushes my seat in when I sit down. He’s wearing a suit and has his hair styled, and his nails are clean and rounded like he actually takes care of himself.

There’s no hint of tattoos or anxiously bitten-back nails or complete and total discomfort at sitting in a fancy restaurant.

“Boston to Seattle was a big move,” Damien’s saying, and I try my hardest to focus. His smile turns sly. “There was a jilted ex, wasn’t there?”

“You are surprisingly close …”

He laughs, and everything about it is comforting and warm. He’s exactly the kind of guy I should be interested in, the kind I could see a future with. Damien’s giving me all the signs of being interested, and the old me would have jumped on it. Would have been planning to introduce him to Dad and what time of year our wedding should be.

And that’s my problem.

That’s why my college boyfriend had such an easy time of screwing me over. He didn’t promise me the world; he just didn’t put a stop to me getting ahead of myself. He’s still a cheating dick who treated me terribly, but through Seven, I’ve finally figured out my type.

Honest.

Even if it hurts.

Even if it’s not what I want to hear.

Seven’s never backed down on giving me the truth … until the other day. Scared or not, he lied, and I can’t wait around for someone like that.

I force myself to refocus on Damien. On the kind of dream man I’ve always wanted. It hurts, but I owe it to myself to give this a real go instead of pining after a man that might never be available.

“Technically, he wasn’t my ex,” I explain. “I never got that chance. I thought I was falling for a guy who was falling for someone else, but now that I’ve had time to get the distance …” I actually laugh at myself because wow. How confused and desperate did I have to be to throw myself at a man who was very solidly telling me no? “I was selfish and immature. And I hate knowing that I might have hurt him and his partner, and I’m embarrassed that’s who I became.”

He plays with the stem of his wineglass. “I have to say that maturity is a big thing for me. Just so you know.”

“Yeah, me too. Moving here was the best thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve had to face some shitty truths, but I think it was worth it.”

“So that’s why you ran away, huh? Embarrassed?”

I bury my face in my hands. “So, so embarrassed. God, just thinking about it makes me cringe.”

“Well, that’s a—oh. Hello. Can we help you with something?”

I glance up at Damien’s abrupt change, and I suck in a breath so fast I almost choke on it. Standing over me, tattoos on full display, piercings glinting in the light, sincere eyes burning into mine is—

“S-Seven.”

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