Page 19 of Love You Like That (Excess All Areas 4)

“Well, it certainly helps if you look your best.”

Zoe’s eyes narrowed. “If you are so good as a wingman, and so confident in the bet, what I’m wearing shouldn’t matter.”

“Fair point.” Alex flopped down onto the sofa she’d been sitting on. “What about the group over there?” He tipped his head in the direction of four men sitting at the bar.

“New rules. If they look like they belong in a boy band, I’m out.”

He could see her point. “Fair enough. Although the guy dressed in black is cute.”

When the guy looked up at them, Alex winked.

“I feel like you should go to talk to him,” Zoe said.

“Definitely not. Tonight is our first real night to have fun and find you an epic one-night stand seeing as we are in a hotel room for the night. Let’s start with something simple. Just go over and say hi.”

“I don’t think I can do this. I’m not you.”

He was about to reassure her when Ben and Chaya arrived. “It’s just us. Willow and Luke are eating here, and Jase is going to stick behind and wait for Cerys.”

“What about Matt and Iz?”

Chaya blushed. “So, I called their room to see if they were coming, and Matt rather breathlessly explained that seeing Iz was leaving tomorrow morning, they were having an early night.”

“Code for fucking,” Ben added helpfully.

“No shit, Sherlock,” Alex said with a laugh. “Where are we going to get food?”

“Chaya found a place on Albion Street. Open ’til late. Tapas. Has a DJ.”

“T-a-p-a-s?” he fingerspelled to Zoe.

“Sounds good.”

Ben and Chaya walked ahead of him and Zoe.

“I feel weird just walking up to a guy and just starting talking to him. Too many shitty flashbacks of high school,” Zoe said quietly.

He admired her honesty. He stopped and turned to face her, remembering how she said it was harder to converse while walking. “You need a line. Even a cheesy one. Just a few words, that, if you get past those, you’re sailing.”

Zoe shook her head. “Those don’t really work.”

Alex shrugged. “No. But they can break the ice and give you a chance to see if you like someone. How about this one… I was feeling off today, but somehow seeing you turned me on again.”

“Urgh. That’s ridiculous.”

“That’s the point. What about asking if someone is talking to you? Like pretend you heard them speaking to you. And when they say no, ask them if they’ll start.”

With her hearing aids, it might work…or scare them off. “This is a disaster.” Zoe began walking again. “This is why I don’t date. Chat up lines suck. Men suck.”

“Some men do suck. Not going to disagree. Want me to show you how it’s done?” The words were out of his mouth before he’d really had time to process them.

“Really?”

With her eyes wide, he couldn’t tell if she was hopeful or shocked. “Do you want me to?”

“You don’t have to go and chat someone up on my account.”

“Let’s practise then. Ask me out.”

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