Page 457 of Pride Not Prejudice

Ten grand.

So many bills to pay.

Debt up to my eyeballs.

Slowly, I nod.

Slowly, I extend my hand.

“It’s a deal.”

Chapter Five

ARI

“Hello Ari—long time no speak. Let me start by apologizing for my sub-par showing when we first started chatting…”

I stare at the message on my phone from Decker D, a man I’d all but written off as boring, dull, basic. It takes him forever to reply and when he does, it’s not at all exciting.

Let’s be real: Decker doesn’t seem to be much different than his male counterparts, but it was a disappointment nonetheless when he dropped the ball on follow-through.

I want exciting!

I want entertaining!

I want sexy!

And he wasn’t serving it…

Oh well. There are plenty of fish in the sea I’m swimming in.

I stare, debating. Did I want to bother messaging him back? This new message was more words than he’d spoken combined so already that was a nice change.

But.

Still.

Sighing, I send a short reply because it’s not as if I had any great prospects on the horizon; a few one hit wonders but nothing to call home to my sister about.

Me to Decker: Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in. What made you come sniffing back around? Bored at the office?

I can’t help my wee bit of sarcasm—blame it on the coffee or blame it on the bitter taste of being let-down by men. I don’t know.

Decker: Nothing like that. Truth bomb coming your way: when I first started on the apps I wasn’t fully committed to the task and wasn’t giving it the attention it deserved.

Me: And now you are?

Decker: And now I am. Scouts honor.

Me: Were you ACTUALLY a scout of are you just saying that to win my approval? lol

Decker: Okay fine I wasn’t actually a Scout, but I did always admire their uniform.

Me: Is that so?

Decker: Not really. LOL

Decker: So anyway, here I am. Thanks for replying, I wasn’t sure you would.

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