Page 36 of Curvy Girl Summer

“Ha ha,” I replied sarcastically. “You got a good little crowd in here, and now you don’t know how to act.”

His lips quivered as if he were holding in his amusement. “That’s how you feel?”

I lifted my shoulders innocently. “You started it.”

“You always have something to say, huh?” He shook the shaker and then poured the contents into a glass. “Just squawk, squawk, squawk.”

His imitation of a bird was hilarious, but I refused to give him the satisfaction. Covering my mouth with my hand, I shook my head.

He pushed the drink in front of me. “This is for you, Tweety.”

“Tweety?”

“Yes. Looking and squawking like a mean-ass yellow canary.”

I looked down at myself. “You’re such an asshole.” I giggled.

“If I’m an asshole, you’re an asshole.”

“I guess it is what it is, then.”

He smirked. “So, I take it since you’re here, you have a date tonight.”

I nodded. “I do.”

“What’s his name?”

“Donte.”

“Nah, he’s not the one. Dante? Journey-through-the-pits-of-hell Dante?”

I burst out laughing. “It’s spelled differently, but yeah.”

“Aaliyah andDonte.” He shook his head. “I don’t see it.”

“Based on his name? Really?”

He grinned. “I’m just fucking with you. I hope it goes well. What made you pickDonte?”

“Stop saying his name like that!”

“My bad.”

“Donte is really cool. Of all the guys I’ve been chatting with this week, he and I had the most in common, and we’re looking for the same things in a partner.”

“Top three things you’re looking for?”

I held up one finger. “Intelligence.” I held up a second finger. “Ambition.” I held up a third finger. “Romance.”

“Okay, so if he says some dumb shit, I’ll kick his ass out.” He pointed to the door. “If he slips up and we find out he doesn’t have a job, he’s out. And I don’t know what you consider romantic, but if he gives me the vibe that he isn’t romancing the fuck out of you, he’s out.”

“Thanks,” I snickered. “Maybe a little aggressive, but thanks.”

“I got your back,” he assured me. “By any means necessary.”

“When you were on the app, what did you look for?”

His brows crinkled and his brown eyes searched mine momentarily. “I like my women badass. Confident, sexy, intelligent, outgoing—”

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