Page 125 of Guys Can't Write Romance
Chloe’s expression softened as she studied his pained reaction. “I know why you’re scared, Chad,” she said softly. “I talked to Rhino in the gym this morning, and he told me about your breakup with Ashley and what Ava said.”
Chad frowned. “Did he tell the whole gym, or just you?”
“Just me. Everyone else was helping pull a barbell off one of his clients.”
A slight chuckle escaped Chad. “That would be Marcus.”
“Skinny guy?”
“Yup.”
Chloe snickered. “Anyway, I get it. But Daisy’s not Ashley, and I think you know that. And Ava’s going to die a miserable spinster, so consider the source.”
“So, what’s your advice?”
“Keep being the mangy rescue dog you are, Chad. The one who bounds around, licks people inappropriately, tracks mud everywhere, and makes people laugh uncontrollably. That’s the Chad we all like. The Chad Daisy likes. And for the rest, just kiss her and figure out the rest later.”
“Just kiss her,” Chad repeated, as if testing the simplicity of the solution.
“Preferably soon,” Chloe advised. “Before I have to listen to her reread your texts, looking for hidden meanings for another night. There aren’t any, by the way. They’re tragically straightforward and boring.”
Chad couldn’t help but laugh. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re terrifying?”
“Frequently,” Chloe said cheerfully. “It’s part of my charm.” She glanced at her watch. “My work here is done. Your team is looking restless, and I have a gallery opening to get to. Just promise me you’ll talk to her, really talk to her, tonight.”
“I promise,” Chad said, and meant it.
Chloe nodded, satisfied. As she turned to leave, she called over her shoulder, “And Chad? If you hurt her, remember that I know where you sleep and I have access to many sharp art tools.”
“Noted,” Chad called back, a genuine smile finally reaching his eyes.
As he watched her stride back across the field, her pink hair visible from any distance, Chad felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The fear wasn’t gone, not completely, but somehow Chloe had managed to shrink it down to a manageable size.
He turned back to his waiting team, clapping his hands together with renewed energy. “Alright, everyone! Let’s work on those curveballs!”
Chapter thirty-three
Daisy Fields and the Intervention
Chad pulled into the parking spot at his apartment as the sunset colored the sky, Chloe’s words from that afternoon still echoing in his mind. He was halfway to his front door when he spotted her.
Daisy sat perched on his steps, wearing that little black dress from their first night out, the one that had made him blush and stammer. She stood as he approached, and his breath caught just like it had that night.
“Hey,” he said. “Were we writing tonight?”
“Nope,” she said. “Tonight, we’re un-weirding you.”
“Un-weirding me?”
“Are you denying that you’ve been acting weird lately?”
He looked at his feet for a moment and gave a slow nod. “Mostly guilty.”
“Good. Admitting your weirdness is the first step toward recovery. You ready?”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see. It’s all part of ‘Operation Un-weird Chad’.”
