Page 67 of How to Prevent a Fumble

But first I have to prove to her that I’m worthy of her time.

“Do you want to go out for drinks?” I ask as we finish our dessert.

She looks me up and down, taking the last bite of her chocolate cake. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Throughout the entire dinner, I’ve been devising a plan. A large plan to win her over. To show her that I’m not the idiot she thinks I may be. Sure, she can see right through my act,but I’m not naïve. I’ve acted like a complete moron for so long it’s become fact.

“I can take care of myself,” I smile cheekily.

“I don’t think you can, that’s why we’re in this position in the first place, Warner.”

Fair enough.

“I’ll be a good boy,” I promise with a wink.

She smirks. “I’m not sure you could do that if you tried. But okay, as long as I can invite Zara.”

“Deal, as long as I can invite Cooper and Emmett.”

“Deal.”

Thirty minutes later we’re at Lulu’s ordering drinks. Briar gets another amaretto sour while I get a beer. We’re in the backroom, which I’m surprised to find fairly empty. It’s a weeknight, but this place is almost always slammed.

“You know, at some point we’re going to have to kiss for the cameras,” I blurt out, immediately regretting it.

Briar rolls her eyes, running her hands through her hair. She looks up at me, her head tilted. “You’re going to have to try harder than that, Warner.”

“So what you’re saying is I have a chance?”

Instead of answering, she downs her drink, heading for the bar for a new one. “Put it on my tab!” I call after her.

“Don’t worry, I was already going to!”

I watch as her hips swing, her hair swaying with each step. When she reaches the bar, I almost swear she looks at me.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were falling for the Ice Queen,” a voice says from behind me, and I jump, caught.

“I’m not sure that’s what you’re talking about,” I tell Cooper, taking a swig of beer.

“Wait, are you?”

Emmett appears around Cooper, brows furrowed. He’s always quiet, but I can see the question in his eyes. He wants to know too.

“She’s pretty,” I shrug.

“She’s Crosby’s sister, man. Him falling for yours was one thing. If you’re going to mess with that, make sure it’s real.”

I nod.

But then I have an idea.

“Never mind. I’m done pretending,” I sigh dramatically, turning toward the table so we can talk quieter. “I need your help.”

“Oh? I love some chaos,” Cooper rubs his hands together manically, a conspiratorial smile plastered to his face.

“We had a breakthrough tonight. I like her. And I want her. I need to come up with some ideas to win her over.”

“Can the Ice Queen even be won over?”

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