Page 136 of How to Lose at Love

She must be getting slammed at the diner.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, giving myself a pep talk. “You can do this. Winnie is right. The worst thing that can happen is he doesn’t feel the same way.” I take a breath. “The good news is, he already considers you a friend and he didn’t ghost you after you had sex with him.”

Most guys would have—not to stereotype him, but he is an athlete, and he doesn’t want a girlfriend. It wouldn’t have surprised me if he’d stopped talking to me once his needs were met.

Yet here he is, showing up at my place.

That’s a good sign, yeah?

I straighten my spine. “Now get out there and tell the guy how you feel. No chickening out.”

Easy-peasy.

Except…

Except I want to barf.

thirty-four

dallas

“Your nudes are safe with me.”

– Drake Colter

Ryann has beenin the bathroom an awful long time. I doubt she’s in there taking a shit, so what the hell could the holdup be?

She didn’t look well when she stood up and left the room, so maybe she’s sick.

Crap. What if she’s pregnant?

Don’t be an idiot, you only had sex a few times and you were wearing a condom.

So? Condoms aren’t foolproof.

But it didn’t break, moron.

I wipe my palms on my pants. Nervous energy has my leg bouncing up and down.

If she’s not out of that bathroom in one more minute, I’m going to—

The door opens and she steps out, hands running down the braid she now has in her hair.

I let out a relieved breath.

Okay.

Good.

She didn’t fall into the toilet.

Fall into the toilet? Now you’re being ridiculous.

Ryann wrings her hands as she walks forward to take the spot she previously occupied, facing me when she settles in, pulling a blanket onto her lap.

“Why do you look like you want to shit your pants?” I blurt out, knowing it sounds rude but unable to stop myself.

“Do I?” Her laugh sounds nervous.

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