Page 31 of The Anti-Bachelorette (The Anti-Bachelorette 1)

Marco just gives me an understanding smile. “It’s okay.”

I look at him more seriously. “No seriously, this isn’t what I had in mind for tonight. You shouldn’t have to deal with all my problems. Want to call it a night?”

Marco grins at me. “I like dealing with your problems. It’s a nice distraction from my own problems.” I smile back at him, and then he grins bigger. “But don’t pretend this is about me. You are so trying to ditch me so you can go get laid.”

I swat his arm. “Marco!” He laughs. He’s right though. I put my face in my hands. “Oh my God. I hate myself. What is wrong with me?”

Marco laughs and shrugs. “Nothing. Have you seen that man? Sooo dreamy.” He says sarcastically.

I laugh out. “Hardly. More like nightmarey.”

Marco throws up his hands. “Hey, whatever floats your boat.”

We are finishing our cake when Marco’s phone rings again. I glance at him. “Are you going to call her back?”

He just sighs. “No. I can’t talk to her again or I’ll give in. We’ve talked enough.”

I reach out and grab his hand. “I’m sorry.”

He grins back at me. “Well, at least one of us is getting laid tonight.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I don’t know. I’m still hoping the reasonable side of my brain will finally come back around and help me realize how dumb I’m being.”

We get up and head over to my grandparents. “Hey, we’re taking off.” I say my goodbyes to my grandparents and my dad. Alaric clears his throat. “Yeah, probably us too.”

He stands, and his little date follows suit. Then my dad interrupts. “Hey Alaric, would you mind staying a bit to tear down the tables?”

Alaric’s eyes find mine. I just give him a smirk. I know he won’t say no to my dad. He takes a deep breath and then looks back at my dad and smiles. “Sure.” He turns back over to his date. “I’ll call you an Uber.”

She huffs out a breath at him. “Seriously?”

He just shrugs. “You don’t need to hang around here.”

She tries running her fingers up his arm. “I thought we could head back to my place.”

He just looks bored and then leans down and whispers something in her ear. Her eyes bug out, and then she huff outs an offended breath and stomps away.

My dad laughs. “What on earth did you say to that poor girl?”

He just rolls his eyes. “Something she needed to hear.”

Marco leans down and whispers in my ear. “Are you sure you don’t want me sticking around? I can ward off the asshole.”

I laugh. “I appreciate the offer.” I then smile to myself. Yeah, so Alaric was an ass to the girl, but he was blowing her off for me, so his behavior only turned me on more. I give a little wave and then we head out. Marco drops me off, and I tell him to come out with us next time we hang out.

Before I walk in, I lean into his window. “We’ll find you someone new to distract you. Me and Angela happen to be great matchmakers.”

Marco just laughs. “Maybe you should use some of those skills on yourself.”

I laugh harder. “Yeah yeah, get out of here!” He smiles and waves as he pulls out of my driveway. I turn and head into my house. Once I’m inside, I start freaking out. What did I get myself into? Alaric is really coming here tonight. I agreed to sleep with a man I loathe. I start panicking, so I dial Angela’s number.

“Hey love, how was your date? Did Marco put the moves on you?”

I am still breathing quickly, so I just blurt out. “I’m about to fuck Alaric!”

There’s silence for a moment. “What? Why are you calling me? Is he there with you? Is he naked? Oh God, is he huge? I bet he’s huge.”

I interrupt. “Angela!”

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