Page 14 of How to Lose at Love

I side-eye him, unamused by his attempts at joking, unamused by his deep, teasing voice.

Watching the road ahead of us, I find myself asking, “On what planet is it a good idea to break up with someone else’s girlfriend?”

“What’s the big deal?”

Is he joking right now? “You have no idea what kind of person I am or how into him I am. That could have gone horribly wrong.”

“Pfft.” He scoffs. “Like how?”

“I don’t know. What if I’d screamed at you or started crying? Then what?”

“But you didn’t.”

“But what if I had?”

“But you didn’t.”

Oh my God.Does he not know how this conversation is supposed to go? People are unpredictable. WOMEN are unpredictable. Does he not know anything aboutanything?!

Ugh!

“I think you’re focusing on the wrong problem here. The fact that you would date a guy who would pay someone to dump you…” His voice trails off.

“Excuse me?” Seems to be my big comeback tonight. The audacity of this guy!

“Now that I’ve met you, the two of you had no business dating.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Diego might be a giant man-child, but he’s a major pussy.”

My mouth falls open. “He’s a nice guy.”

Was. Is.

“His balls still haven’t dropped.”

“That is none of your business.”

“It’s none of my business that his balls haven’t dropped?” He laughs, and I look ahead at the road to make sure we haven’t passed my turn.

“I meant…” My head shakes. “I meant he’s a nice guy. That doesn’t make him a pussy.”

“Says the girl who just got dumped by a stranger.”

“Can you please stop saying that?”

“Why? It’s the truth.”

“That doesn’t mean I need you to keep repeating it. Jesus.” This guy has a lot to learn. “You can’t just say whatever pops into that brain of yours.”

“Thanks for the input, but I’ll be fine.”

I settle into the seat, relaxing my shoulders. “I’d bet any amount of money you’ve never had a serious girlfriend.”

Dallas Colter snorts. “No shit. Why would I want one? See what it leads to?”

“Wait—you’ve seriously never had a girlfriend?” How is that possible? He doesn’t exactly look like a troll that lives under a bridge, though I can’t really tell what he looks like under the knit cap, the thick coat, and the jogging pants. The outfit isn’t doing him any favors.

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