Page 20 of Blindly Yours

I blink widely at him. Who does he think he is, trying to play hero for me? I clench my fists. “I didnotask for your help.”

He gestures to the empty doorway. “Aren’t you glad he’s gone, though?”

“That wasn’t…who do you think you are?!”

He shrugs and slides his hands into his pockets. “He wasn’t gonna take no for an answer. I saw it in his eyes. And you certainly weren’t making much of an effort to tell him off.”

I cross my arms and arch a brow. “Well, I wasn’t gonna kick him out. But I think I was getting my point across.”

“Fair enough.” His eyes hold mine calmly.

I tap my foot. “Also, the Fitchburg Hales? What was that boloney?”

“Yes, of Wisconsin. We’re a fairly select group, the seven of us.” The corner of his mouth turns up.

With a scoff, I pick up my salad fork and slide into the chair behind my tarp-covered desk. “You’re hilarious.” The sarcasm in my voice oozes like honey.

“So are you. See you tomorrow.”

He hurries past me without another word, but I catch a glimpse of the full-on smirk that has grown on his face. He isn’t just a grump. No. He’s a grump who will only let his smile free at my expense.

Classy.

With a harrumph, I dig into my salad. I could have handled Malcolm on my own. It probably would have required sitting through his persuasive attempts while I ate my arugula, but he would have left eventually. He always grew bored with me.

I stab a cherry tomato and pop it into my mouth as I slide my phone onto the desk and pull up the Bloom app. I didn’t receive any messages earlier this morning, but it now indicates I have two.

I tap the first.

Stewart, 32, PHD

How about a drink sometime, beautiful?

You’d think he could come up with a more clever line if he has a freakin’ PHD. I swipe to close the chat and open the next.

Blake, 27, MBA

Hey there. Your profile pic is awesome. Was it taken at First Avenue?

I hesitantly type a response.

Rose, 26, BA

Hey. Yes, last summer at a concert. It’s such a great venue. Have you been?

Blake, 27, MBA

Yeah, I went to almost every concert last summer. Surprised I didn’t see you there. I would have remembered you ;)

I shove in another bite of salad with a deep breath. The flirtation is so forced I could almost vomit, but guys tend to spread it on thick at the beginning.

Rose, 26, BA

It was pretty crowded that night. So, do you live in the city?

I just have to get through the initial small talk and then…

Blake, 27, MBA

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