Page 40 of Studious
“I didn’t ask him on a date.”
“That wasn’t the assignment. That wasn’t even extra credit. Because you have to figure out who you like before you can do that, and I don’t think you know.”
Actually, I think I do know. And he’s standing right in front of me trying to teach me how to go ask someone else out.
“I still feel a bit like a failure,” I say.
“You shouldn’t,” he says. “Hey. Come here.” He holds his arms open, and I snuggle into him.
I’m not a huggy person. I’m normally kind of prickly, but this feels good. His body is solid against mine, and I can feel his pulse in my ears. I can feel mine, too. There’s just something abouthim. “Thanks,” I mutter.
“Can I ask how many times you’ve hugged a guy?”
“Not that many.”
“Maybe you should book a massage.”
I step back. “Have a stranger touch my naked body?”
“A massage therapist is a professional, so it’s much more like having a doctor touch you than a random stranger, and it’s important for you to get used to being touched before you find someone to fuck. And as a bonus, it will leave you feeling better, more invigorated, and more relaxed. The massage therapists sometimes have a harder touch than you might imagine, but it’s really good—I promise.”
“I dunno. I think I’d still be nervous.”
“Want me to go with you?”
“Really? You’d do that?”
“It’s no hardship to get a massage. And it’s no hardship to hang out with you. I like you, spreadsheet man. So is that a yes?”
“Okay.”
“Super. I’ll book a couples massage. That way you won’t ever have to be alone with someone you don’t know.”
Red flags wave in my brain. “What’s a couples massage?”
“It just means we’re in the same room getting massages at the same time. No biggie.”
“‘No biggie,’ he says. That means three people seeing me naked instead of just one.”
Though it would also mean I’d get to see Danny naked.
“It’s not like that. They’re very good at keeping you covered. They only expose the part they’re working on, and they don’t do too much on your front—no chest or stomach area.” He smirks. “Or lower. We won’t be going to a ‘happy endings’ place. It’s a reputable massage spa.”
“Okay,” I say quietly. “That’s fine. Is it expensive?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“That means it is, which means I’ll worry.”
“My idea, my treat. And it really isn’t that expensive. It’s just a little indulgence. Less than dinner and a night in a bar.” He takes a look at his watch. “Crap, I have to finish up a brief. What are you doing tonight?”
“Um, tonight? Nothing.”
“Then let’s get together after work.”
I look around to make sure he’s talking to me. Even though we’re the only people in the room.
“Yes, you.” He chuckles. “Okay, that’s another thing we’re gonna work on.”
