Page 32 of Not Dating Material

“Nah, don’t be. I’ve got Z. And the rest of the Bertha guys. You’ll meet Aggy as soon as she’s back from her trip, and trust me when I say she loves us more than any half-assed parent.”

I’ve heard them mention their neighbor Agatha a few times. “That sounds nice.”

“She’ll love you too. And then you won’t think it’s so nice.”

I laugh. “Why?”

“She’s a cranky old bat.” But even though his words might sound mean, there’s clear affection behind them.

“A cranky old bat who you love?”

“Exactly. And when she’s being especially batty, I wait until it’s late and play my music right by her window.”

“You don’t react well to feelings, do you?”

“Nope,” he says happily. “They’re the worst.”

My gaze flicks back to the bag again. “So … the activity?”

Seven pulls out a box, and when he gives it a shake, something rattles inside.

“Is that a puzzle?”

“Sure is.”

“You want to do a puzzle on a date.”

“Sure do. Now, get that judgment out of your tone.” Seven lifts off the lid and dumps all the pieces on the ground.

“I can honestly say I’ve never had a date like this before.”

He fist pumps. “Nailed it.”

“Sure you did,” I say, reaching over to pat his head.

He props the lid of the box against the tree trunk for us to use as a guide.

“One problem,” I point out. “It’ll be upside down for me.”

Seven pats the place in front of him. “Come over here, then.”

“And have you spoon me?”

“You’d love that.” He winks. “But no, you’re small enough to sit up.”

Well, if he wants me closer, who am I to say no? I crawl to his side of the puzzle and sit in front of him. While we’re not touching, there’s something nice, something intimate, about having him curled around me like this. We work in silence.

“So why a puzzle?” I ask.

“No awkwardness.”

“Except for the moment when you tell your date that you’re doing a fucking puzzle.”

His deep laugh fills my chest.

“This is the only time I’ve tried it, and I’d say we’ve gotten past the awkwardness well, wouldn’t you?”

“True.”

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