My face lights up with interest. “This is, like, date number…three?”
“Yeah.” He nods.
“So, you like her?”
“I think so.” He shrugs. “I could see dating her. So…if there’s anything you want to confess…now would be the time.”
He raises an eyebrow, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Like my undying love for you?”
“Exactly,” he says.
“Nope. Nothing to confess.” I shake my head.
“Bummer.”
Ever since I confronted Brad back in August, the dynamic of our relationship has changed. He still flirts on occasion, but he is always very respectful. Actually, besides Kate, he’s the best friend I have here.
“So, you said the D word. Does that mean you like her for more than just a hook-up?”
“You mean,date?” He chuckles.
I take a sip of my iced tea. “Yeah.”
“Well, we’ve already hooked up, and I still want to see her again, so…I suppose.”
“You’re such a pig.”
“What? I’m just being honest.”
I press my lips in a flat line. “Mmhmm.”
“I’m serious here, London. If things go well, I could be off the market. You know you’re still my number one. You sure you don’t want to reconsider our relationship parameters?” He smirks, a salacious look in his eyes.
“Seriously, your poor mother. How did she ever give birth to someone with such a big head?”
He ignores my attempt at a joke. “Is it still the military dude?”
“His name is Loïc. And, no, not really.”
“So, it’s me?”
I shake my head. “No, it’s not you.”
“So, it’s the dude then. You’re not over him. Hasn’t it been, like, a year?”
“Almost—at least, since I last saw him. But we technically broke up in May—or maybe, if you ask him, April through an email.”
“That’s real considerate of him. And you haven’t spoken to him since?”
“Nope.”
“London, it’s time to move on. Seriously. If not with me, then with someone else. Why are you sitting around, waiting for someone who doesn’t love you? You are a stunning woman. You’re smart, witty, and fucking hot. You could have almost anyone you wanted.”
“I’m not waiting for him. I know it’s over. But I don’t want anyone else—at the moment. It’s fine, Brad. I’m focusing on my career and my independence right now. I don’t need a man to be happy. Plus…” I start to stay before I stop myself.
“Plus what?”