Page 79 of Not Dating Material

“Seven?”

I jolt so hard my chair jumps, and I whirl around to find Molly standing there. He’s in tiny sleep shorts and a tank top, hands cupped around a steaming mug, big eyes reflecting the glow from my screens.

“You almost gave me a heart attack.”

He grins. “Now you sound like Xander. I knocked.”

“I didn’t hear you.”

“Clearly. For you.” Molly sets the mug down on my desk and grabs his desk chair, sliding it across the space until it’s beside mine.

“What is it?”

“Tea. To help you sleep.”

“I won’t be sleeping tonight.”

And while I’m hoping he’ll get up and leave, it’s also a complete relief when he curls up on the chair beside me. “Want to talk about it?”

I automatically tuck my foot with the medusa tattoo under the other one. “No. Literally never.”

“I talk to you, you know.”

“And that’s your choice.”

“And not talking is your choice.” Molly props his chin in his hand. “That’s not healthy.”

“Like you can talk. Healthy. You have so many guy issues, and all you do is talk about that. It doesn’t seem to have helped.”

“I’ll have you know I’m feeling very optimistic about the future. Bet you can’t say the same.”

“I’m very optimist about my future.”

“Really?” he asks skeptically.

“Yep. It’s getting me away from my past.”

“I’m no shrink, but that doesn’t sound like a well-adjusted outlook.”

“Then you don’t know what you’re talking about.” I pick up the mug and take a cautious sip. Tea isn’t something I usually drink, and this one smells sweeter than anything I normally drink, but it’s not horrible. “Thanks.”

“You’re very welcome.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“Tracking device.” Molly’s face is so deadpan, and he’s so obsessively needy in general, that I can’t be sure he’s joking.

I lift an eyebrow, and he sags.

“Thought I heard you come in here, and when I poked my head in, you were hard at work. So I went and made you a tea.”

“Thoughtful of you.”

“I’m very thoughtful.” He leans forward so both elbows are planted on the armrest of my chair. “And giving.”

I brush him off. “Be sure to mention that on your next proper date. I bet it’ll go down a treat.”

“I told you, I don’t hook up on a first date.”

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