Page 78 of My Debacle with De Lorenzo

“Fine, then. I’m keeping the chocolate shake.”

Regret immediately shows on her face. “You got me a chocolate shake?”

“Yep, but now you’re not getting it. I’m drinking it all by myself. That would be the jerk thing to do.”

I feel her eyes on me for a long time before she speaks again. “You’re too good for a girl like me, Dylan.”

The fact that she used my name lets me know she’s not being facetious. “Well, that’s why I’m becoming a jerk now...just to balance the scales a bit.”

She lets out a small sigh, then changes the subject. “Can I eat in your car?”

“Sure.”

She opens the plastic container and digs in, gushing about how great it is between mouthfuls as I maneuver onto the street. She stops mid-chew when my phone rings, Fran’s picture lighting up my screen.

Her eyes bounce between me and the phone when I don’t answer. “Francesca’s calling.”

“I see that. I’ll call her back later.”

“Is that Francesca...your ex-girlfriend Francesca?”

“That’s the one.”

“She’s cute.”

“Very.”

That sort of sets her on edge. “De Lorenzo, when you said you wanted this to be exclusive, you meant that for you too, right?”

I cast a glance her way to make sure she’s serious. She is. She’s genuinely upset, bordering on jealous. “Yes, that applies to me, too.”

“So, you don’t want to speak to her in front of me because...”

“Because I’ve been waiting to see you all morning. We have limited time together, and I don’t want any interruptions.”

She’s still not convinced. “And you guys did break up, right? You’re not trying to hide a secret girlfriend, are you? I know I’m only good for a fun time, and I just told you that I think you’re too good for me, so if you’ve got a sweet, decent girl hiding in the background...”

I sneer. “You’ve got some serious self-worth issues, you know that?”

“I’m just saying?”

She’s cut off when my phone rings again. This time I answer to prove I’m not hiding anything. “Watson.”

My phone is connected to my radio and Fran’s voice comes through the speakers when she answers. “Holmes! What’s a girl gotta do to get hold of you?”

“I’m busy. I’m out with a beautiful girl right now and you’re...sort of interrupting that.”

“Well, sorry! I just wanted some advice. I’m going on another date...to the movies this time, and I have no idea what to wear. Should I go more sexy or casual?”

“Wear your green sweater. It brings out your eyes.”

“Oh, yeah, the green sweater will work. It’s casualandsexy. Thanks, Holmes. Let me not keep you, but make sure you call me on Thursday because on Friday you’re going to drop off the earth, and I won’t hear from you until?”

I quickly cut in before she airs my whole life’s story. Dana is coming home on Friday, and Bella doesn’t need to know about that...or any of the shit that comes with it. “I’m hanging up now, Fran.”

“Call me on Thur?”

I end the call and look over at Bella. “See? She’s not my secret girlfriend.”

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