Page 2 of The 21-Day Boyfriend
For as long as it takes. My entire life, if necessary.
“I say you have to go. It’s time to show him that he has no effect on you anymore.”
I wish that were true.
“But you don’t have to go on your own.”
“Mmm?”
Jake turns his attention back to the food I made him, slowly twirling fettuccine strands around his fork.
“You should take someone.”
“Who would I take?”
“I don’t know – maybe one of the guys you sometimes go out with.”
“I don’t sometimes go out with anyone.”
He looks around just as one of the waiters walks past us and over to a nearby table, letting a loaded gaze drop onto us.
My friend nods towards him as soon as his eyes are elsewhere. “Like him.”
“How do you know I’ve been out with him?”
“I recognise that look, you know. Gay or straight, it’s always the same.”
I don’t even try to fight it.
“I can’t bring one of the guys I sometimes go out with to an event like that.”
“Then you’ll just have to go on your own this time.”
“Why don’t you come with me?”
“That wouldn’t help. Everyone already knows me. You’d just seem… Pathetic.”
“I’m not pathetic.”
“Then you definitely don’t want to seem it.”
“I’m just going to have to politely decline.”
“Or…”
“Or?”
“I might have an idea.”
He rests his fork on his now-empty plate and grabs his wine, taking a few sips under my watchful gaze before flashing me a sly smile.
“I think I know the right person for the job.”
“The job? What job?”
“The job of being your date for the evening.”
“Who are you talking about?”
