Page 24 of Your Two Lips
“You know you sound ridiculous, right? I know you’re on this woman hiatus because you don’t want to get hurt. Maybe you’re not the wrong guy for Emily. You’re not Evan Larson. Even when you were picking up tourists on the regular, the women I saw you give knowing glances to after the weekend were all smiles rather than dirty glares.”
It had always been important not to lead anyone to believe something I couldn’t deliver. There was no reason to. If a woman was up for no-strings fun, great. If not, I said thanks for the conversation. Enjoy the drink.
“I haven’t had a girlfriend since college. I’m not sure I remember how,” I said.
“If you ever knew how.” He chuckled. Asshole. “Come on. You don’t forget. It’s like riding a bike.” That shit-eating grin beamed at me.
“You’re funny. Why are we friends?”
“If you want her, tell her. I saw how she looked at you.”
Me too, especially when she touched my hand and leaned in, smelling like sunshine and spring and hope.
“No way she’s out with Evan tonight if you’d made a move,” Dan said.
My chest hurt. “We’re in a race together. We’re friends, I guess. I’m not sure if she wants real or just a distraction.”
“Well, clearly she wants something. You want Evan to be that guy? He isn’t half the man you are.”
“Damn right.” I stood again, emboldened. Even if she only wanted a date, Evan was not the guy. He wouldn’t take the time to appreciate her strength and fearlessness and, frankly, worship her for it. He wouldn’t take the time to see that she was fragile under her tough exterior, though I couldn’t understand how anyone would miss it.
“Don’t go over there without a plan,” Dan said.
“I have a plan. I’m going to go catch up with my buddy Evan. Ask about those twins I saw him with a couple of weeks ago.”
I was already walking as Dan said, “That’s not a good plan.”
I reached the table in a few quick strides. Evan and Emily were discussing the menu or some shit. I didn’t care.
“Emily, hey, I see you met my friend Evan.” Emily’s head snapped up, and she met my eyes. Her lips held a grim line. She was pissed.
She put herself out there, tried to kiss me, and I blew her off for ten days like a coward. I would’ve been pissed too.
“Hey, Finn. It’s been a while. You know Emily?” Evan asked.
“We’re in a bike race together.” I may have emphasized the word together.
Evan’s eyebrows rose, and he looked at Emily. She didn’t say a word as she lowered her glare and inhaled. The move drew my eyes to the curve of her breast and the points of her nipples. No bra on a date with Evan. His head was going to explode any minute now.
I reminded myself of the immediate goal. “Haven’t seen you since opening day of boat season,” I said. “I believe you had a couple of twins wrapped around you.”
Evan shifted in his seat, a sheepish expression on his face. “Old friends from college in town for a visit.”
Emily gave him a polite smile and turned to me. “Finn, can I speak to you a minute by the pool tables?” Her voice was higher than usual.
“Sure.” I spared a glance at Evan, who nodded his goodbye.
We reached the back. “What the hell are you doing?” she whisper-shouted.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m having dinner with a man. Your turn.”
“Evan is … we used to hang out more when …” I rubbed my hand over the back of my neck.
“When you were being, what was it, a prolific non-discriminator?”
Fucking Tom. “I used to date around more than I’m proud of. Evan still does.”
