Page 32 of Plays Well With Others

11

THE BEAST AND ME

Carter

So this is what surreal feels like.

I leave my home the next evening on time and absolutely ready to take Rachel out on a first date. One that I researched just for her. One that I’m actually kind of excited for.

Hell, I even broke out my best Henley.

This navy blue one is my good luck shirt. From the planning to the aftershave to the special clothes, tonight with Rachel feels like a real date.

But it’s not.

And that’s the point.

The mission is to settle the bill with Date Night one first date at a time.

I shut the front door of my home, then steal a final glance at my reflection in the glass.

The perfect amount of scruff. Nothing in my teeth. My breath is minty fresh.

You’re not kissing her.

From mere feet away, a familiar voice interrupts my thoughts.

“And now, spotted in his natural habitat, we have a rare sighting of the North American variety of Clueless Male as he ventures into the wilds of modern dating. Watch as he preens. Observe as he partakes in the traditional mating ritual of checking out his ugly mug.”

With an aggrieved groan, I turn to Monroe, who’s on his terrace, his phone held up in my direction, the red light from his video on.Are you kidding me?“You recorded that?”

“You can thank me later for my contribution to your Date Night commitment.”

“Unlikely,” I say.

“You’ll come around,” he says then lowers the phone, switching it for a glass of what looks to be scotch. “I hoped to catch you on your way out to wish you luck and my efforts were rewarded with wildlife nature photography.” With a satisfied sigh, he knocks back some victory scotch, savoring the moment.

I can’t do anything but cede victory. “We will meet again on the battlefield, doc,” I say, then bound down the steps to my car. I parked it on the street after practice today. I could have parked it in my garage, but there was a spot exactly two inches longer than my car calling out to me. I had no choice but to show off my parallel parking prowess to anyone who happened to be walking past or driving by. I like to perform under pressure, and in one try, I got the car all the way in.

It’s almost a shame to give up the glory of this spot, but I hop in my wheels and head off, driving to Bling and Baubles. Rachel closed a few minutes ago and said to pick her up there.

I pull up, acing another parking job, thank you very much. I head to the shop. Rachel’s at the counter, her back to the door, spraying the display cases then wiping them down.

I rap on the door.

She spins around.

My breath catches.

She’sDate Rachel, and holy shit.

Her chestnut hair is swept up in a twist, a few strands framing her face. She’s wearing a bright pink top that clings to her skin and makes mine sizzle.

She sets down the cleaning supplies and comes to unlock the door. “Come in. I just had a new idea for the pre-date video. But you need to shoot it. I tried doing it myself, but I need to use my hands.”

I want to usemyhands. On her.

“Sure,” I say roughly, trying to adjust to how unfairly sexy she looks tonight. What the hell did that boob sighting do to me? It unlocked some inner beast, and I need to wrestle the monster back into its cage.

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