Page 25 of Tricking an Introvert

Tessa

He didn’t attempt to explain his presence on Wednesday, or the day after that when he came in with a DVD she hadn’t had a chance to purchase.

On Friday, he texted.

I'll pick you up at six, don't eat.

She stared at the screen, equal parts confused and horrified. Pick her up? Like, to go somewhere? Where? How was she supposed to get dressed? She didn't go to places without warning or clear directions like that.

As she only saw the text after dealing with the pile of admin she'd neglected that Tuesday, at five-thirty to boot, she didn't have time for a full inquisition. She stuck to the essentials in her reply.

I'm going to need a dress code.

Clothes. People generally wear clothes. I can't say I notice what kind.

Tessa rolled her eyes. Men.

She leaped into the shower, completely panicked.

Tessa was out of the shower, finishing up her makeup, into a pair of smart dark jeans and a polka dot silk blouse when she realized that she didn't actually need to panic at all. She could just say no. Tell him that she'd prefer to stay home. She'd done that a thousand times with her friends; they got it, knew there was only so much socializing that she could do without burning out.

She paused, frowning at her reflection. She looked half decent today. Her hair had somehow decided to comply, although she hadn't had time to appease the gods of fine hair with leave-in conditioner. Some powder, tons of setting spray, lip gloss, and she was ready. Or she could wash her face and change into a pair of PJs if she wanted to.

She found that she didn't want to. Not only because she wasn't wasting thirty minutes of prep, but because she was curious. Where was he taking her? Why was he taking her anywhere? It was the most exciting thing that had happened to her in… Actually, she didn't want to know how long.

The doorbell rang.She practically skipped all the way to the door. Opening it without checking her peephole first, she groaned when she saw her brother on the other side.

"Jesus!What happened to you? Is that lipstick?"

"Seriously? Call first."

"You're hot. My sister is hot. Damn, I should totally take you out with the guys."

"I'm about to go out, Lewis."

He walked in the apartment.

"Good, I can use your TV. Caleb's playing God of War on mine, and I have a Star Wars online date."

Tessa sighed. "Sure. If you eat my snacks, you're replacing them."

"You know I will. And congratulate whoever's getting married this time. It's not Johnson, is it? He'll be pissed if I messed up the date."

Finn Johnson was an acquaintance she and her brother had in common through different sources; some of Lewis's teammates were friends with him, and one of Tessa's best friends was engaged to him.

"Finn and Anna are getting married in the fall. I'm not going to a wedding." At least, she didn't think she was. "Who the hell would get dressed in jeans for a wedding?"

Lewis shrugged. "I have."

Of course he had. "Just because guys like you can get away with murder doesn't mean that the rest of the world can. I'm just heading out with a friend."

Lewis curved a brow. "Like the hot dude you played with this week? I approve, sis."

She rolled her eyes. "It's not like I actually need your approval. You remember I'm the older one, right?"

"Sure. And if I introduced you to a girl tomorrow, you wouldn't feel entitled to tell me whether you think she's right for me?"

Damn, he had her there. "Yeah, well, I'm not dating Cole. He's just…"

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