Page 18 of The Wingman

My type is Darcy Andersen.

Hayden’s the biggest player you’ll ever meet, Kit told her at the party, grinning at me.

He said it like it was a good thing, when really, it crushed my chances with the first girl I’d ever really connected with.

She shot me a knowing grin.I can see it. He’s too good-looking to be monogamous.

So much for thinking I could start fresh.

My jaw works, and something flickers in Miller’s eyes that I don’t like. Compassion, I think.

“I’m not buying it,” he says.

I rack my brain for something funny and irreverent to say, but I’m coming up blank. I hate that he’s smarter than he looks and acts, and I really hate that I’m not smart enough to fool him.

He claps me on the shoulder as he passes, and I tense.

“That’s okay,” he says, walking to the showers. “I’ll be here when you’re ready for advice.”

CHAPTER 9

HAYDEN

“So,if I want to show a guy I’m interested, how do I start?” Darcy asks that evening in the Yaletown bar I chose so we could do this without the risk of my teammates seeing.

And that’s why you’re going to teach her how to fuck other guys?Miller’s words from after practice send a fresh round of tension through me.

“Hayden?”

“Yeah.” I clear my throat, focusing on Darcy. “Okay. Flirting. Uh, it’s easy. You’re going to find someone you’re interested in, then make eye contact.”

She hums, absorbing this. She looks pretty tonight, with her hair loose and a little wavy around her shoulders. She always looks pretty, though, with her small, sloped nose, high cheekbones, and heart-shaped mouth.

My eyes drop to her lap. She’s wringing her hands, and protectiveness surges through me.

“Hey.” My voice goes soft as I tilt my chin at her hands. “What’s the deal?”

She makes an uncertain face, shrugging.

“Nervous?”

“A little. I’ve never done this before.”

I resist the instinct to put my arm around her. “This is going to be a walk in the park for you, I promise. Give any guy attention, and he’s going to have his tongue on the floor. You’re gorgeous.”

Her eyebrows go up and her smile turns teasing. “I’mgorgeous?”

I didn’t mean to say that. I shrug like I say that to women every day. “You knew that.”

“I mean,” she makes a face, “not necessarily. You’ve never told me that.”

Because I’ve always kept a tight leash on thoughts like that. I put on a wry grin. “Don’t get a big head over it. That’s my thing.”

She chuckles. “Sorry, I won’t threaten your ego. So I stare deep into a guy’s eyes from across the bar. Got it.” She makes her eyes go as wide as possible, unblinking gaze boring into me, irises sparkling with suppressed laughter. “Am I seducing you, Hayden?” she whispers in a creepy voice.

“No.” I stare back, wearing my own weird, creepy expression, holding back a laugh. “You forgot to smile.”

She puts on a blank, soulless smile, still not blinking, and we both start laughing.

---