Page 42 of The Dating Pact

Jude

I’d murder for you.

Be still my heart.

Jude

Seriously. That guy needs to be dragged through the street and strung up by his dick.

It was you who told me he wasn’t worth it today, wasn’t it?

Jude

Not worth your tears. But beating the shit out of him would make me feel better.

I’ve moved on.

Jude

You still think about it. You still cry. And that makes me want to punch things.

You big teddy bear, you. Never change.

Jude

You don’t either, honeybee.

TWELVE

JUDE

Idid not expect to be talking about sex on a Thursday afternoon at a coffee shop. But Melissa was exactly as forward in person as she was on the app. It wasn’t like I was a prude. Rather, I didn’t know how to talk to a virtual stranger about whether I minded being tied up.

I tipped my head to the side and scratched at my beard. “I’ve, uh, never really thought about it.”

The corner of Melissa’s glossy lips rose, along with her eyebrow like a cartoon villain with a devious idea. “You should think about it. You might love it.”

I cleared my throat with a sip of my coffee, inconspicuously checking the time on my watch. We’d been here for half an hour. A new record for me being on a date, but I didn’t know how much longer I could stand it.

The date or the woman.

So, as usual, I used my kids as an excuse. “Listen, Melissa, this has been great, but I gotta head out to pick up the kids.”

I didn’t. Sebastian was at one of his friend’s houses, and they’d be going to baseball practice together later, while Amelia was at Gen and Dylan’s house, spending the day with Scarlett.

Melissa pouted briefly, probably thinking it was cute or flirtatious.

It wasn’t.

“Okay.” She stood when I did. “It was so nice meeting you in person.”

“Yeah.” I accepted her hug with one arm.

“We should do it again.”

I failed to come up with an excuse, so I merely grabbed my keys and headed out with a wave. “Mm-hmm. See ya later.”

I hopped in my car and blew out a breath, accompanied by a full-body shake off.

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