Page 27 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Gio: I liked that you don’t hold back. It was… refreshing.

Austin: Refreshing?

Gio: Yes. Most people kiss my ass. You didn’t. It was a nice change.

Austin: I can’t tell if this is some twisted ego thing or if you’re insane???

Gio: Why can’t it be both?

Austin: Oh my od! You are twisted.

Gio: Some call it twisted, I call it flirting.

Austin: Is this how you pick up ALL women?

Gio: No. LOL. It’s been a long time since I tried to hit on someone.

Austin: Oh REALLY? And why is that? Enlighten me.

Gio: My relationship with my sister sometimes suffers—I’ve chosen the wrong women in the past. Or they’ve chosen me I should say. And I told myself I wouldn’t date women who see dollar signs when they look at me…

Gio: Hence, it’s been a long fucking time since I’ve dated.

Austin: I… am so sorry. I don’t know what to say. I…

Gio: There’s a reason I was at the bar—that wasn’t a coincidence.

Austin: What do you mean?

Gio: Nova told me about you.

Austin: Nova? Your sister? I don’t understand.

Gio: Yeah. She met you last week, during the game you watched at the bar.

Austin: Last week at the bar….

Gio: The dark haired chick who was laughing at everything you said? We live in your neighborhood. I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting the red flags but every once in a while, Nova likes to play matchmaker and I’m keen to let her.

Austin: So, she scouted me for you?

Gio: More like gave me a heads-up. I’m not on any dating apps. You impressed her.

Austin: I can’t tell if I should be flattered—or if this is stalking.

Gio: Flattered. Definitely flattered. NOT STALKING good god.

Austin: Easy for YOU to say that’s not what this is—you had all the info going in. I was taken off guard.

Gio: It’s not like I knew your life story. All Nova said was “She’s funny and unrelenting and doesn’t put up with crap. Maybe you need someone like that.”

Austin: … Still deciding how I feel about this.

Gio: Well. Take your time. My goal was to make you happy with the tickets and I did, so—maybe I’ll see you around. You know, since we’re mostly in the same neighborhood.

Austin: Wait. Are you breaking up with me??

Gio: I’m giving you space LOL

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