Page 53 of Breathless Recruiter

“No. No. The opposite. I just don’t normally go home with guys like that.”

“You have sex outside?”

He slapped his face. I knew the expression. Somehow, I wasn’t connecting the dots. His hand rested on my thigh as he turned toward me.

“Usually, I only sleep over with guys after I’ve gotten to know them.”

“Oh.Thatwas a hookup?”

His head cocked to the side. Dustin’s eyes went wide. “It’s a hookup if it’s just sex. I don’t dojustsex.”

“We can do other things.” I didn’t add that I wanted to do them and then have more sex.

“Good, I’m glad we’re on the same page. I think.” He took my hand. “Because of that, I’d like to ask you out on a real date.”

“Didn’t we do that on the boardwalk?”

“That was more like a hangout. I want a proper date.”

Humans and their weird associations. I let him have the distinction.

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes. Please?”

Dustin’s whole body shook as he laughed. I had no idea what he found funny, but it turned infectious. A moment later, we were both laughing. Him at my seemingly straightforward answer and me at the fact he jiggled when he laughed.

“Have you been on an actual date before?”

If our walk didn’t count due to a technicality, then I pretended drinks with Zaster didn’t happen. “Nope. At least not with somebody I wanted to go on a date with. So let’s just say no.”

“In that case, I’ll try to make it special.”

The walkie-talkie on his belt belted out code in a panic. He pulled it from his belt and pushed the button. “Did you say a 211? Isn’t that code for the copiers broken?”

“Attacking!” the voice squawked.

“I should go save the rookie.” Orion probably had something to do with the machine uprising. “I’ll text you with details?”

He kissed the tip of my nose and then sprinted toward the office. I always enjoyed watching him walk away, but there was something extra special about watching a chubby man run. I’d have to stay on the bench for a few more minutes while I convinced my penis to behave.

What started as a miserable lunch break had quickly turned around. Dustin had been the missing piece of the equation. Everything that had been gnawing away at the back of my mind fell under an avalanche of happy feelings.

I took a nibble of chocolate. “I’m going on a date!”

15

Drew:You’ll do great.

Orion: Just treat it like a job interview.

Wyatt: I’m applying for another date?

Drew: He means put your best foot forward.

Wyatt: My right foot?

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