Page 27 of Curvy Girl Summer

“What did yours say when you were on it?”

“Drug-free, disease-free, drama-free.” He shrugged. “The app already had my age, education, and career posted. Everything else could be discussed in conversation.” He gave me a look. “Short, sweet, and to the point.”

“What would yours say now if you were looking?”

“Thirty-two-year-old professional looking for my match. Drug-free, disease-free, drama-free.” He smirked. “So basically the same thing as back then.”

I put my phone down and picked up my drink. “So you think mine is too much?”

He laughed. “That’s not exactly what I said.”

I groaned. “And this is why I didn’t even want to do this. How did I let you talk me into it?”

“Because it’s a good idea,” he explained. “And you said you wanted a boyfriend for your birthday and your big lake party, right?”

I nodded, finishing my drink. “Yeah.”

“Well, this is going to be your best bet.” He gestured to me. “Because you’re not the friendliest in person.”

“That’s rich coming from you.”

He made a face. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Ahmad, how many times did you ask me if I was waiting for someone? You knew I was, and you saw that no one showed up. Why would you keep asking me?”

“I was checking in on you.”

“Yeah, maybe the first time.”

“Okay, then after you had an attitude, I just did it to get under your skin.”

I shook my head and frowned. “What kind of person does something like that? A sociopath?”

He chuckled. “In my defense, there wasn’t much else going on to amuse myself.” He gestured around the bar. “As you pointed out, there weren’t many people here, and you were the only one sitting at the bar.”

“Then use your time to clean glasses and wipe down your work area. Don’t use your free time to harass me!”

He scratched his beard with one hand and gestured to my phone with the other. “And that’s why I’m doing a good deed by helping you now.”

I pursed my lips. “Mm-hmm.”

“I’m righting my wrongs.”

Amusement forced my lips upward. “Shut up.”

“I’m serious. Forgive me.”

“I do not forgive you,” I told him.

“Yeah, you do. I can see the stress leaving your body.”

“If anything, I’m more stressed because of you.”

“Then why are you smiling?” he asked teasingly.

“Because you’re ridiculous.”

“Nah, it’s because I’m the man with the master plan.”

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