Page 67 of Two Guys, a Girl, and a Tripod

I understand her question. A lot of men like me would probably ask for a date, intending to just become fuck buddies off-camera. But that’s not me.

“Honey-”

“Sophie.”

I smile and sit on the couch. She slips into her shorts and joins me, facing sideways to look properly into my eyes.

“Sophie, I’ve seen you on social media. I’ve seen your TikToks and your silly responses on Twitter. You’re funny, you’re smart, you’re quick, you’re kind. I know how hard it is to be authentic, but you make it look easy. I want to get to know you better.”

How do I explain that I feel as if I’m being pulled toward her? That she is the sun and I am a planet caught in her orbit, basking in her glow?

First a flower, now a planet. Who have I become? Fucking Shakespeare?

Sophie studies me. It feels like hours, but she likely only takes seconds. Her eyes roam my face as if looking for a sign that I’m lying, that I might hurt her. I don’t intend to do any such thing.

“I haven’t been in a relationship with someone in the industry.” It’s not ananswer. It’s a test.

“I have,” I admit. “It didn’t end well.”

“What makes you think this would be any different?”

The reply tumbles out before I can think.

“You.” I swallow hard.

“What if this ends badly? Messy?”

“Do you think it will?” I’m avoiding the question. I don’t want to think about an end to my time with her.

“I can’t tell the future.” She continues to study me. “I don’t-” She stops and frowns as if trying to find the words.

“It’s ok if-”

“No, I want to say yes.” Sophie holds up a hand to stop me from talking, but all I hear is the last word. My heart leaps. “I’ve been on a couple dates with someone else,” she explains. “And I like him. But we haven’t- I mean, we haven’t discussed-”

“You’re not exclusive.” I hate that word, but Sophie nods. “I won’t ask you to stop seeing him as long as you’re upfront if something changes, either with him or me.”

More silence. I hate the silence. I hate not knowing what she’s thinking. I hate the fact that someone beat me to the punch, but I’m determined to win her over.

“Then yes.”

16

Miles

It’s been twenty-four hours sinceHoneySophie said yes. Twenty-four hours of worrying about how to impress her, how to sweep her off her feet. I have competition. Some dickhead thinks he can take her from me.

“So, what did you decide on?” Brody is sitting at the kitchen island with a sandwich and a beer when I walk out of my room to leave.

“I’m taking her to the rose garden at Exhibition Park.”

“That'll be nice.” Brody nods slowly before taking a bite of his sandwich.

“Yeah, then I’m going to take her to the brewery.”

“Stealing my ideas?” Brody raises an eyebrow.

“I gave you the painting idea. I think I earned this.”

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