Page 21 of Playing a Player (Sweet Cravings 1)

"Yeah, that would be great."

"Okay. Do you mind doing the dishes? I need to get going." He walked away and went into his room.

Chapter 12

"And then he just walked away?" Emily asked.

"Yeah."

"You're right. He's madly in love with you."

"Don't make fun of me."

Emily laughed. "I'm sorry. But this is what you do. You always read too much into everything." I had met Emily for lunch at a restaurant near her office. I needed advice, and she was always ready to give it.

"He asked me not to date any of his friends. I'm not crazy to assume that it's because he likes me."

"But you said yourself that he isn't looking for anything serious. Is that really what you want?"

"Of course not. But I can't get him out of my head. Maybe this will make me get over him."

Emily stared at me skeptically.

"Or maybe he could fall madly in love with me."

"I knew it! So, your plan is to get him to give you advice about how to have a one night stand. And then realize that you mean with him. And then he'll fall madly in love wi

th you? Is that the gist?"

"Maybe."

"Keira, you don't have realistic expectations at all!"

"I do." I didn't. I really wanted more. All my friends were married. I felt like I was falling behind.

"And what the heck happened to your agreement? I thought you made a pact to not start liking each other?"

"Well, yeah, but clearly we both like each other already. So the pact is void."

"Clearly." She scrunched her face to the side.

"Stop looking at me like that! I never wanted the pact to begin with."

"I know, I know. Look, I have to go. If I'm late my boss will kill me. But think about what you're doing, Keira. That's not you. And odds are, he really isn't looking for anything serious. Because he's told you that. This is an awful, awful plan."

Why did she always think all my plans were so bad? "But..."

"Just think about it, okay? I have to run. But Jim is going to be out of town tomorrow night, so I can make it to your party after all. Maybe I can be your wingman." Emily winked at me and walked out of the restaurant.

***

I sat down on the couch and stared at the blank notebook page on my lap. I hadn't been able to write a good article since Rory had moved in. And now I was playing with the idea of writing a piece about his lifestyle. About how dating was devolving into meaningless hookups.

I heard the creak of the front door and looked over as Rory walked in. He tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter.

"Hey! So I was wondering if you wanted to start those lessons?" I asked.

"Right now?"

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