Page 115 of Guys Can't Write Romance
“Interesting. And the plot thickens.”
“The only thing thick is your head.”
“So, you guys ‘hung out’ until six in the morning,” Rhino said, making the air-quotes with his fingers. “Did you at least do it?”
“Oh, come on, man. She was in a vulnerable place and needed a friend. Even I’m not that big of a jerk.”
“Just a medium-sized jerk, then.”
“A medium-sized jerk who respects boundaries.”
“Okay. Fine. You’re still doing this gentleman thing. But six AM?”
Chad let out a breath. “She fell asleep leaning against me, so I was pinned.”
“You spent the entire night as her human pillow?”
“Pretty much,” Chad said. “Plus, Chloe would’ve murdered me if I woke Daisy up.”
“You’re probably right there. So, why the look on your face like someone just killed your puppy? I mean, Daisy’s available now, right?”
Chad felt a sudden, unexpected knot tense in his stomach. “I guess.”
“You guess?”
“I mean, yeah. She broke up with Ethan. So, I guess that means she’s single now.”
“And that’s not a good thing?”
“Can we not talk about this. I need to get some sleep before classes start.”
“Nope. We’re having this talk now, before you get stupid and clam up on her.”
“I’m not clamming up on her. I just spent the night hanging out with her.”
“As friends.”
“That’s what we are.”
“But both of you want it to be more. And you know it.”
Chad took a breath. “I don’t know. Maybe. But let’s get real. She likes guys with money. The whole ‘security’ thing, which I’m not exactly swimming in.”
“I’ll bet it means less to her than you think.”
“Can we talk about this later when my brain’s not in power saver mode.”
“Oh, you can count on it. Because you’re gonna hate life if you don’t go all in with Daisy, and then I have to deal with you moping around the apartment.”
“Nobody’s moping.”
“Not yet. But that dead puppy look tells me it’s coming.”
“So, what’s your solution?”
“Stop thinking of her like she’s Ashley.”
Chad tensed and shook his head. “I really don’t have the brainpower right now to talk about Ashley.”
