Page 135 of How to Win the Girl

For him, maybe.

For me? That remains to be seen.

Anyway, he doesn’t have to be a dick because he’s tired.

“Is Ryann around?”

Drew shakes his head, eyes back on the TV. “Hasn’t come home yet. I think she’s on her way back today from Dallas’s, but it won’t be until later.”

Good.

Don’t get me wrong: I like my brother’s girlfriend, but if I’m being honest, it would be cooler to have a dude living here than a chick; having to worry about farting and burping and shitting ourselves in her presence is a drag. Not that I think she gives a crap, but it does keep a guy on his toes not knowing if she’s reporting our behavior to Dallas.

Sometimes it feels like we’re living with a goddamn spy.

“There’s a chance I’ll bring Daisy home with me.”

“That’s interesting.” He looks in my direction. “So you don’t think she’s gonna dump you?”

“No, jackass! I don’t think she’s gonna dump me. We’re not a couple.” Yet. “She would have told me. We were up talking most of the night.”

The bastard shrugs. “Good luck then. I’ll be here all morning in case you come back alone. We can go lift.”

Ye of little faith. “Fuck you, dude.” I can’t muster a smile or a laugh.

“You should be nicer,” he shouts at my back when I leave. “We only have each other.”

The sound of his laughter follows me out the front door and down the steps.

Cocky shit.

Since when does he cop an attitude?

Fucking snot.

My ass cheeks are still puckered when I pull into the café where I’m meeting Daisy. She’s already here, waiting for me at a back table, menu already in hand and open like a book.

I stop and look at her for a few seconds, drinking my fill.

Damn, she’s cute.

She glances up.

Motioning me over, she sets the menu down, fussing with the silverware and napkins as if clearing a spot for me.

Coffee appears as if by magic; water, too.

“Oh my god, I’ve been dying for you to get here.”

My brows go up. “Oh?”

“Yes, we have so much to talk about.”

“We do?”

Daisy laughs as if I’ve said something funny, picking up the menu again. “Why am I looking at this? I already know what I want.” She sets it down.

“Are you nervous about something?” Shit, what if my brother was right? What if she’s about to tell me to piss off and she’s not interested? What if she’s about to tell me she’d rather date Drew?