Page 52 of Love at Second Down

Liz exhales a shaky breath. “I mean, even if he is, which I sincerely doubt, we have nothing in common, and I assure you, I will make thisthemost boring date ever. I will one hundred percent ensure there’s zero chemistry, and he’s miserable. On top of it, I plan on flirting with your date, just to drive my point home. Trust me.” She reaches out, taking my hand in hers and giving it a light squeeze. “I have your back. We got this.”

I nod, pushing past the ball of fear fisting inside my chest. She’s right. I need to trust her. Trust the plan. “Okay. I’m sorry. I’m just nervous.”

“Now, remember,” Charlotte says, placing her hands on my shoulders and looking me in the eyes, “pretend that it’s really you and Damon on the date, not you and Trav. This isyourchance to drive the point home that you still have a connection. Remind him that he’ll never have a connection with anyone else like he has with you.”

I twist my hands in front of my chest, scrunching my nose as I say, “But isn’t this a little . . . manipulative? I don’t want to manipulate him into wanting me back.”

“Slightly sneaky? Yes,” Brynn says with a tone of authority I can get behind. “Manipulative? No. That would mean you’re trying to control how Damon feels. And in truth, you’re never going to manipulate him into loving you again. He either still does, or he doesn’t. Either way, tonight will determine which it is.”

My stomach tightens, and I press a hand over my abdomen to control the pain. This is it. Tonight will tell me whether I have a prayer’s chance.

Samantha reaches out and gives my arm a squeeze. “Just try and relax. This double date is merely giving you guys the opportunity to figure it out.”

“And if he bails when he sees I’m Travis’s date?”

Charlotte grins. “He won’t. That’s why we made this girl here,” she says, hip-checking Liz softly, “his date. Because he knows her, and he knows us, and there’s no way he’ll ditch her and risk hurting her and pissing us off in the process.”

“Plus, if he does still have feelings for you,” Brynn chimes in, “he’ll want to stick around because he’ll be worried aboutyoufinding a connection.”

“But also, don’t get discouraged if he seems to be flirting with Liz because he might want to make you jealous, and give you the impression he’s moved on,” Charlotte adds.

I bring my hands to my head and knead my temples. “This is a lot to remember.”

“The most important thing to remember is that at the end of the day, we have your back,” Charlotte says, glancing around the room before she draws me in for a hug. “You got this.”

I nod, warmth flooding my chest as I allow myself to sink into her embrace, smiling when the other girls join in.So, this is what it’s like having real friends.

“I got this,” I whisper into the huddle, trying to believe it.

“Now,” Brynn says as she pulls back from the group hug, “go back to your room and wait for your date, then go kick some double-date ass and charm the shit out of that fine-ass man of yours.”

Charlotte snickers, giving me one last squeeze before releasing me. “Make him remember what he’s been missing.”

“Flirt like your life depends on it, and leave him wanting more.” Samantha winks.

I turn my eyes on Liz, waiting for her to chime in.

With a flip of her hair, she huffs. “And I’ll be as boring and unattractive as a box of rocks.”

Chapter 16

DAMON

Ipull up to the curb outside Hyde Hall, knowing full well this is also Avery’s dormitory. Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel, I wonder what she’s doing at this very moment. Is she inside, or is she out with friends? Is she eating a late dinner, studying, out at the bar?

Pissed I’m even thinking about her, I rake a hand through my hair and growl as I shove the thought aside.

It doesn’t matter.Shedoesn’t matter. The whole point of this date is to get over her and be invested in someone else. The last thing I should be thinking about as I pick up my date isher.

I hesitate a moment longer while the car idles, glancing at the clock on the dash—seven-fifteen p.m. Right on time, considering we’re supposed to meet Travis, my friend from the AAU soccer team, at the bowling alley by seven-thirty. So, why is my stomachtied in knots? I’m going out with Liz. Sweet and smart and attractive Liz. Even if she isn’t my type, I know enough about her to know she’s a catch. All I need to do is look at her in a new light, as a possibility instead of a placeholder for someone I can’t seem to forget. But no matter how many times I tell myself that, Avery’s name still echoes louder in my head than Liz’s ever could.

“I’m being ridiculous,” I mutter to myself.

With a shake of the head, I snatch my phone off the center console and shoot Liz a text, letting her know that I’m here. After explaining, without going into detail, that my ex, who I’d like to avoid, lives here, she kindly offered to meet me at my car.

When her answering text comes through telling me that she’ll be right out, the knot in my stomach tightens.

Exhaling, I glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror. My hair is carefully styled, and the green button-down I’m wearing isn’t too wrinkled. I drop my chin and give myself a cursory sniff, ensuring my brief shower after practice wasn’ttoobrief. Thankfully, I smell good, and my expression is . . . neutral, I decide.

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