Page 81 of Not Dating Material

Molly falls asleep at some point, steady, deep breaths loud by my ear. I flick the lever on the side of the chair to release the backrest, our combined weight making it bend right back.

Then I keep my nose near his hair, one hand resting on his back to anchor him there, and go back to my forum. I type one-handed, feeling secure, warm, wanted. Surrounded by my obsession, and with Molly pressed against me, it almost gives the illusion of being invincible.

None of the bad in the world can touch me like this.

Chapter 22

MOLLY

“Does Xander know we’re in here?” Seven asks, looking around Xander’s paint studio. It’s one of the darkest rooms in the house and looks like a chaos dungeon. There are canvases stacked against almost every wall, then more still on easels, but those ones are wrapped in plastic. There are forgotten frescos and sculptures abandoned mid-creation. Paint covers the floor and walls in a built-up design of half-finished thoughts, and while I don’t understand how Xander can work in this disarray, there’s something comforting about being in here.

“Of course he knows.” He’s the one who helped with this date idea.

“Look, I know my date was technically at home too, but at least we actually stepped foot outside of the place.”

I laugh and tug him further into the room, closing the door behind us. “Dude, you bought a fucking puzzle. I gave that a chance, the least you can do is show me a little trust.”

Seven huffs and crosses his tattooed arms. “Liked it though, didn’t you?”

“That’s my point. Now, shut up and act like you’re enjoying yourself.”

Seven forces a broad smile that shows off all his teeth.

Close enough!

I walk over to the corner and switch on the cheesy colored disco light I bought online and watch the disgust cross Seven’s face as it flashes red, then green, then purple.

“Tell me we’re not dancing.”

“It’s for ambience!”

“Thank fookies for that.”

“I know you better than to make you dance. Though it would be incredibly romantic.”

“Hard pass on that, Tiny.”

“That’s okay.” I give Seven my most innocent smile. “I have other things we can do together.”

I step closer and lace my fingers through his before leading him over to where there’s a large canvas sheet laid over the floor.

“I’ve decided there are too many questions to ask,” he deadpans. “So, I’m gonna go with it and hope I don’t end up dead.”

“Perfect attitude!” I sit down and pat the place right beside me, amused by his hesitance.

“I can smell pie,” he says as he sits, strong, tattooed legs stretched out in front of him.

“Good nose.” I uncover the food I’ve spent today making with Auntie Agatha. I’m lucky that when I showed up on her doorstep with ingredients today, she was more than happy to jump in and help me. Creamy vegetarian pot pie again, rocky road, and sourdough garlic bread.

He moans and absently rubs his stomach. “That looks good.”

“All your favorites.”

“They are.” He side-eyes me. “You called in reinforcements.”

“Nothing wrong with doing a little prior research.”

And like our one-and-a-half dates before this one, it’s easy. Seven’s as blunt and un-sweary as ever, I’m a complete dork, and somehow, it works. Feels right. I’m trying not to trust the feeling. Every time something deep inside me tells me I’ve found the one, it all turns out to be horseshit, and I end up discarded and alone. Some days, it feels like I’m not supposed to find my person, and then others … My eyes catch with Seven’s, and he chuckles.

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