Page 18 of Dead Serious with Benefits
“And here I thought I was done with people using my parties as a place to off themselves,” I said with a shake of my head. “Clearly not.”
“How often has this happened?” Arlo asked, staring at the body with an impassive expression.
“It’s been nearly three years since the last one; that one was at least polite enough to throw themselves off the building and leave the mess on the streets.”
“Ah, well, I suppose now it’s easier to see that you’re being flippant about death this time.”
“Yes, perhaps because I’m a little uncomfortable staring at the insides of her arms while her blood gets into my grout. You, however, seem completely unfazed.”
“I’d say you get used to death, but that’s not necessarily true.”
It was vague enough to be interesting while still giving me some information on him. When I caught the flicker of sympathy as his eyes lingered on her before pulling away, I realized he wasn’t as cold a fish as he initially seemed. In fact, I’d say he was nearly as reserved about showing what lay beneath the surface as I was; he just pulled off disconnected and cool better than I ever could. If I tried something like that, I’d end up looking like a knock-off version of my mother, which...absolutely the fuck not. I would stick with the disinterested, playboy personality.
I closed the door, leaving it ajar again, before glancing at him. “So, death follows you, huh?”
“It seems to,” he said with a shrug.
“You know, if this were a movie, you would be riddled with guilt and trying to warn people away from you,” I told him with a smirk.
“I have things to feel guilty about, but the choices of other people, no matter how heartbreaking, do not weigh on my conscience,” he said with another glance toward the doorway. “And it’s not that death stalks the people I’m around, more that I just so happen to show up when death is going to be around.”
“So, it’s more accurate to say that you haunt death,” I said.
He blinked and let out a soft laugh, the sound sending a jolt of pleasure through me. “I never thought of it like that. I’ll have to remember that the next time one of my siblings decides to tease me.”
“I’m so glad to be of service. Though I am sorry to say that while it was nice to get you to come in, I’m disappointed it took a near-death experience to get you here in the first place,” I said with a shrug. “Perhaps I could make it up to you.”
Arlo smiled, ducking his head in an almost shy way. “As much as I enjoy listening to people have a good time, this sort of party really isn’t my thing.”
“If I were going to invite you to one of my parties, I’d point out that variety is the spice of life and perhaps trying it would be good for you.”
“To which I’d say that you might have a point, but clearly, that isn’t what you have in mind.”
I looked him over. “How about a date?”
His head shot up, eyes going wide. “Pardon?”
“That is,” I added quickly but smoothly, “unless you’re not into men...or me specifically. Then it could just be a way for me to make things up to you as friends.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised you’re so forward,” he said.
“Now who’s being evasive?”
“I have to admit, I wasn’t prepared for the offer.”
“I’m also not a dainty flower; I can take rejection. By all means, tell me no if you’d like.”
“No, I…” he cleared his throat. “I’m not used to people being so...direct. At least about their interest in me.”
“I’m under the impression that you are not, in fact, against the idea, just surprised.”
“That would be an accurate summary.”
“Then how about you take my number? If you decide to accept my offer, you can contact me.”
He stared at me for a moment before reaching into his pocket, pulling out his phone, and offering it up after unlocking it. “That would work just fine for me.”
“Perfect,” I said, punching in my number under a new contact, locking the screen, and noticing the picture on it. It was a group of people, none of whom resembled Arlo. They stood close, arms wrapped around each other in a tight but casual grip that spoke of a close bond as they grinned at the camera. “Cute. Family?”
