Page 24 of The Dating Ban
That… that feels like a loaded statement.
I glance at my nearly empty cup, choosing my words carefully. “I do work on Mondays.”
Theo nods, as if that settles it. “Fair enough.”
I wait for him to push back, to find another argument, but he just takes a sip of his drink like the conversation is already over.
And for some annoying reason, that makes me want to clarify.
“I mean,” I continue, shifting slightly, “I do work, but… I work from home, so technically, I can be flexible with my schedule.”
Theo tilts his head, amusement flickering across his face. “Ah.”
I narrow my eyes. “What?”
“Nothing,” he says, though he’s clearly holding back a smirk. “Just enjoying you arguing with yourself.”
I huff, stabbing a piece of sausage with my fork. “I’m not arguing with myself.”
“You literally just proved your own excuse wrong.”
I open my mouth, then snap it shut because, fuck, he’s right.
To avoid looking at him, I focus on Lucy, who is carefully lining up her chips in a neat row, completely oblivious to my minor crisis.
After a moment, I clear my throat. “When is this yoga class, anyway?”
“Eleven-thirty.”
I do a quick mental calculation. Eleven-thirty isn’t too bad. I could start early, shift a few tasks around, and technically still get a full workday in…
I lean back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. “I might be able to make that work.”
Theo raises an eyebrow. “That sounded dangerously close to a yes.”
I exhale sharply, shaking my head at myself.
Because I do want to go.
I know it. He knows it. Even Lucy—who is now humming to herself while dipping a chip in ketchup—probably knows it.
But there’s still something holding me back.
I fiddle with my fork, staring at the last few chips on my plate, trying to ignore the way my stomach is doing something at the idea of saying yes.
“I shouldn’t really be… going out with a man,” I say finally, though even I can hear how unconvincing I sound. “Because, you know, the ban.”
Theo chuckles. “One day, you’re gonna have to tell me that story.”
I scoff. “Oh, it’s a thrilling one, let me tell you. Full of self-reflection and—”
“Questionable decision-making?” he supplies.
“Exactly,” I say, pointing my fork at him.
He smirks, then he leans forward. “But it’s not a date. Just yoga.”
I exhale, still hesitating.
