Page 44 of The Hookup Situation
“Now I’m sitting on a mountain with a beautiful woman who makes me want to eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch for dinner and wake up at the butt crack of dawn to do sunrise yoga.”
“Lucky you,” she says, grinning.
“I agree,” I say.
We sit in silence, watching clouds drift across the valley. This feels too intimate for something with an expiration date. But I can’t make myself care.
My phone buzzes again. This time, it’s one of my best friends from my hockey days, Patterson.
Patterson
Yo, how’s Cozy Creek?
Nick
Great. I’ve been busy as hell.
Patterson
Busy with that redhead?
I look at Julie, who’s now lying back on the rock, soaking up the sun like a cat. Her hair spreads out like fire against the stone.
Nick
How did you know?
Patterson
Asher told everyone at a party last night that you’re no longer single.
Nick
I’m going to kill him.
Patterson
Nah. It’s about damn time you found someone worth unplugging for.
Patterson
Don’t fuck it up.
Nick
Trying not to.
“Work?” Julie asks without opening her eyes.
“My friend was just checking in.”
“Good friend?”
“The best. You’d like him. His name is Patterson. He’s also commitment-phobic and emotionally constipated. Biggest asshole teddy bear I’ve ever met.”
“More than Zane?” She laughs.
“Oh, yeah. He makes Zane look tame because he’s an extrovert.”
