Page 35 of Don't Quit the Day Job

"I'll be good. It's not like I'm going to sneak out or anything. It's not even like I have a boyfriend." She lets out a deep sigh. "Because guys aren't interested in me."

I press my lips together to stop from laughing. Marie is absolutely gorgeous and she's still young enough to have no idea that she is. But I’m not going to be the one to tell her that she could have almost any man that she wanted to because she’s my little sister and the longer she stays away from men, the better it will be for me.

"I think that when you graduate from college, you can start dating and I'm sure that?—"

"I don't want to wait until I graduate from college. Are you crazy? You're just as bad as Dad."

I start laughing then. "I'm just saying, you're not missing out on anything by not dating."

"I just don't fit in with these people here in South Carolina. I am meant to be a big city girl. I want to live in New York. I want to be with you, my big brother, and I mean, you're single, right?"

"As the day is long," I say, and she starts laughing.

"I mean, you could totally be in a relationship, but I guess you don't want to commit because there are so many women that want you."

"You sound like my ex-girlfriends, Marie. Have you been talking to them?"

"No," she sighs dramatically. "But I know men like you."

"Excuse me?" I say, frowning. "What do you mean you know men like me? I sure hope that is just an off-the-cuff comment and not an actual factual statement because?—"

"Oh my gosh, I am joking, Max. Obviously, I don't really know any men like you. I'm in high school. I don't know any men aside from you and Dad. I just mean I've watched a lot of movies.”

I groan loudly. How many women in my life are learning about life from fictional characters?

"What?"

"You're the second woman I have had this conversation with today. You cannot get your information about men from movies and romance books.”

“I mean I’ve had real experience as well, Max.” She mumbles. “That’s why I’m in this shitty position.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Uhm…nothing. So who’s the other woman?"

I frown at her question. I’m not ready to talk about Lila with anyone, not even Marie. I’m still trying to process our relationship with each other because it’s happened so quickly.

"What are you talking about?" I say quickly, trying to distract her. “Also, are you saying you haven’t been dating?”

"You said I'm not the only woman today you've had to tell they rely too heavily upon movies and romance books to get their information about men. Well, who's the other woman that you had to speak to about this? Not a woman you're dating," she says, giggling. "Oh my gosh, that would be hilarious."

"No. You know I'm not dating anyone, Marie. I was actually referring to my new assistant."

"Oh my gosh. You have another new assistant? You have a new assistant every other week."

"It's not quite every other week, but this one will last at least a month, I'm sure."

"What do you mean she'll last at least a month?"

"Let's just say there's a little bet that she'll last a month."

I groan as I think about Lila.

"Huh? What are you talking about, Max?"

"My new assistant might not really be the best person for the job, but due to a bet with Kingston, I decided to hire her. And she lives with her head in the clouds and she's totally unrealistic. I just want to make sure that when you get to her age that you are not the same way."

"Oh my gosh. Is your new assistant like, fifty or something?'.

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