Page 26 of How to Deal

I snort. “Because I don’t.”

“But you have no actual reason. . . just that you don’t? Is it that you don’t find me attractive?”

He knows that isn’t it. By the look on his face, hedefinitelyknows. “Why should I go out with you, Tathan? Give me one good reason.”

“Because I’m a nice guy.”

Okay, well that’s a good one. I know damn well he’s a nice guy.

“A nice guy who steals my mail. It’s a federal offense, you know that, right?”

He smiles. It’s bright and wide; our bantering causes those cute dimples of perfection he has. “You gonna call the cops on me?”

“I might.”

“So you won’t go out with me, and you’re going to have me arrested. Hmmm. . .” He laughs. “You humping anyone then?”

Humping? Did he really just say that?

“Are you a thirteen-year-old boy?” It’s everything in my power not to laugh. “Who says humping?”

You do, Amalie. You said it last week to Zane.

I start to close my door, but he stops me; his foot wedges between the door and the frame. “Wait, are you going to answer my question?”

“No.” I push against the door. “Move your foot.”

He does as I say, surprisingly, and I can’t wipe the damn grin off my face even if I try. “No,you’re not going to answer, orno,you’re not humping anyone?”

“Bye, Tathan,” I say, and smile to myself once it’s closed.

I hear him groan, banging his head against my door.

Thrilled I’m finally getting to him, I lean my back into the door. Casey comes around the corner and puts on her shoes, one hand on my shoulder balancing herself, the other slipping on her heels. “Who was that?”

“No one.” I don’t look at her and reach for my own shoes.

She looks over my shoulder at the door. “There was testosterone in here. I can smell it.”

“No, there wasn’t.” I grab my keys off the counter. “I’m running late for work. Pick me up at noon.”

Casey is easily distracted—just like Zane—so by me reaching for my keys on the counter, she is on to the next topic.

The wedding.

Which helps me out tremendously because it’s less explaining that I have to do about the testosterone that was at my door.

Casey and Zane are beyond excited about the wedding expo.

Really, I can’t blame them, it’s exciting. Weddings are meant to be. So with all the anticipation, I agree to just about anything on the way out the door. I do this so she won’t ask about Tathan.

I even agree to brunch with her tomorrow to go over the bridal shower next weekend, and I hate brunch. I don’t like the idea of a meal not having a designated title like breakfast or lunch. I don’t like anything that’s in between. Like gray. I hate that color because why can’t it just decide if it’s black or white?

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