Page 25 of Not Dating Material

I roll my eyes and turn back to adding the tattoos. “And wait until I tell everyone I freed you from being tied naked to your bed.”

“Oooh, harsh, Tiny.”

“I might be little and sweet, but I know how to fight back.”

“Good. Standing up for yourself is an important skill to have.” His eyes drop briefly. “If you don’t learn anything else from me, remember that.”

Chapter 7

SEVEN

Give me a grind on the dance floor any night over this. One-on-one with a guy isn’t my usual go-to, and while I have exactly zero clue what the hell we’re supposed to talk about, I figure if I leave it up to Molly, it’ll make it easier for me to give him notes. Planning the actual date isn’t something I give too much thought to. I guess if it was real, I’d stress and get all up in my head over it, but it seems simple to me.

Plan something we can do together that’s safe for a first date and gives Molly a chance to be … Molly. The more “him” he is, the easier it’ll be to see if he’s the problem.

No, the date isn’t something I’m worried about.

It’s Xander.

The reason I don’t bother with more than a hookup is because people don’t get our relationship. If I’m in the middle of a date, the person I’m with doesn’t appreciate being blown off because my roommate thinks he’s dying, which says more about them than Xander. People call him a hypochondriac and say I shouldn’t pander to him. They don’t get it. Medical anxiety isn’t something you can shut off, and I’m not about to abandon him because some person I’m interested in tells me to.

Our relationship is too strong. It intimidates people, and unfortunately, with how Xander is, he always has to come first. If I can’t give my whole self to someone, I don’t see a point in starting a relationship knowing I’ll only disappoint them.

Xander and I are a package deal. No one will ever get that.

I only have to hope that Molly will understand that if I need to go, it has nothing to do with him.

Laying out ground rules is probably a good place to start this date.

I’ve told Molly to be ready by eight and organized for Rush, Madden, and Xander to go out together. I didn’t go into details since I have no idea what Molly’s telling people, and I know that if Xander senses there’s fun going on, he’ll want to stick around.

Even though it’s not a real date, I get dressed up nice enough, then fuss with my hair and spray enough smelly shiz over myself that I’ll probably remind Molly of those perfume kiosks you walk past in the mall.

It feels ridiculous as I head to Molly’s room, where I told him we’d meet, just like if I was picking him up for a real date.

I’ve barely knocked when he throws the door open, enormous, adorable grin in place.

Oh, boy.

“Tell me you weren’t standing there waiting,” I say.

“Okay, but that would be a lie.”

I laugh. “You look way overeager.”

“I’m excited.”

“It’s not a real date.”

“So? I’m still excited.”

“Well, your nervous hovering got that message across loud and clear. Well done.”

He cups his chin, index finger tapping the tip of his button nose. “So guys don’t want to know that I’m excited?”

“That is kinda out of my wheelhouse, but I’d say your safest option is to play it cool. Obviously be happy to see them or whatever, but don’t launch yourself at them the moment they get here.”

“Right.” It’s like I can see the cogs working madly behind his eyes. Then he steps back suddenly and slams the door in my face.

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