Page 48 of Flirting Lessons

“Don’t you start,” she said. “Now you’re acting like my friends. Wait, what did they tell you about me?”

“Oh,” Avery said. “Just stuff I already knew. Heartbreaker, champion flirt, allergic to long-term relationships, that kind of thing.”

Basically, exactly what Taylor had thought they’d say. Taylor,always jumping in and out of relationships. She’d heard it all before.

“Okay, that last thing is true, and fine, maybe the second thing, but I still resist the heartbreaker label, despite what I’m sure they told you about karaoke.”

Avery’s laugh confirmed that yes, they had told her about karaoke.

Their next flirting lesson wasnotgoing to include her friends.

Eight

On her way to anevent on Wednesday late afternoon, Avery got a text from Luke.

Luke

You around tonight? I feel like I haven’t seen you forever—dinner?

Avery couldn’t help but grin. They hadn’t seen each other for weeks, but they both knew why. He and Margot were so happy, they were both walking on big fluffy clouds and had eyes for nothing and no one but each other.

Margot must be busy tonight, she typed and then deleted. Margot probablywasbusy that night, but Avery didn’t want Luke to think she thought he was abandoning her or whatever to be with Margot. She really was happy for him.

It would be more fun to gently mock him about Margot in person, anyway.

Avery

As long as you can wait until 8 or so when i’m done with work. conference cocktail event tonight

Luke

Sure, 8 works. sushi?

Avery

Great, i’ll text when i’m leaving the event

Luke caught up to her outside the restaurant right after she parked.

“Hey,” he said as he pulled her into a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

She returned his hug and kissed him on the cheek.

“It’s great to see you, too,” she said. “Margot busy tonight?”

He looked embarrassed, but he still couldn’t wipe the happy smile off his face.

“How’d you guess?” he said, and she laughed at him as they walked into the restaurant.

“I’m sorry if I’ve been blowing you off,” he said as soon as they sat down. “It’s just that I—”

She held up a hand to stop him.

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

He didn’t look convinced.

“You’ve had a hard time lately. I don’t want you to think that I’m not—”

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