Page 30 of The Dating Game

“You do?” Janie Summers is really nice and very pretty. Immediately I wonder if she’s one of the exes he took on this so-called fun adventure we’re going on. Not sure why I even care though when I only like Will half the time.

“Yeah, we used to—”

“Date?” I interject. Then perform another mental facepalm. Now it seems like I care who he used to date. I do not. And I only made such an obvious error because my mind is half distracted by the mysterious brown tissue near my leg. I need a tub of Lysol wipes and a gallon of hand sanitizer STAT.

Will glances my way, a faint smile of amusement on his face. “Uh, no,” he says. “I never dated Janie. I was going to say that we used to work together.”

“Oh. That’s nice.”

“Yeah.”

“Almost there,” he says, and I peer around to see what part of the city we’re in. We’re not in the city so much as we are outside of it, in the more nature heavy parts. I’ve been over here before with Jill, Hannah, and our dad. A minute later we turn into a parking lot.

“We’re going golfing?” I say in surprise.

“Yup!” Will looks pleased with himself. “And you get to ride with me and watch for the full 18 holes! Won’t that be fun!” It’s not actually a question, so he doesn’t wait for my answer, just steps out of the car and walks toward his trunk presumably to get his clubs.

I hop out of the car too, a frown on my face, hands on my hips. “Will—” I begin, but he cuts me off.

“Golf is one of my favorite pastimes,” he says, setting his golf bag on the parking lot, then retrieving his golf shoes.

“Yeah me too,” I say.

“Wait, what?” Will’s head appears back around the corner of his SUV.

“I love golf,” I say. “Which is why I wish you’d told me we were coming. I don’t have my clubs.” I sigh. “I guess I’ll just have to rent. I’m not dressed for golf either, but they’re not too strict at this course.”

“You…play golf?” Will still looks shocked.

“Yeah.” I look around. “Mind if I head to the clubhouse ahead of you to get my clubs? Since you’re busy with your shoes?”

“Uh, no. Go ahead.” He nods, and I set off toward the clubhouse humming. If Will—the man who skydives all the time— thinks golf is a fun adventure, and I golf regularly, maybe I’m not so boring after all.

Chapter 10

Will

Shelikesgolf?Iwatch Brooke practically dance her way to the clubhouse and feel a sinking in my stomach. I did not foresee this.

After last night I went home feeling less victorious and more like a jerk. I shouldn’t have let her fall behind on the trail. Not when it was getting dark out. It’s really not safe for anyone to be alone on those secluded trails at night, but especially not a woman. I realized I needed to recalibrate Operation Dating Game. The goal was supposed to be to get her to break up with me because I’m annoying not because I’m a jerk. Which means, I need to focus more on being annoying.

Hence today’s outing. I was on the golf team at the University of Arizona and what’s more annoying to a woman than a guy who can’t stop bragging about how good he is at something?

Not to mention the boredom factor.

I was definitely counting on that one.

But now it turns out she loves golf. She wants to play the round with me!

I’m going to have to reswizzle my plans.

I’m sure I can think of something.

And also studiously ignore the tiny thrill in my stomach at the discovery thatBrooke likes golf!

Things are getting way too chummy with her. Before I caught myself we were actually having a semi-flirty conversation in thecar—about the dang zoo of all things! The zoo! She’s getting to me, and I can't allow it.

I grab my clubs and head after Brooke to the clubhouse.

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