Page 60 of Don't Date A DILF

“There.” I showed him the phone. “It’s true, even if it’s not the whole truth.”

“Nana set you two up?”

“Yep. As far as she knows, she’s the mastermind behind the whole thing.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I hate to say it, because I’m still not sure this won’t blow up in your face, but that’s kind of brilliant.”

“It’s not going to blow up,” I said firmly, as much for myself as for Joe. “It’s fake, and I won’t forget it.”

Even if part of me wished I could.

* * *

HUNTER

It was a school night,and going to trivia at The Stag Pub wasn’t the most responsible move, but I desperately needed a drink after the afternoon I’d had. Toby had wanted to stay with my parents for dinner, as he always did, and Mom already had leftovers he could eat without cooking anything new, so I’d caved.

Just this once, I told myself. Soon, I’d be cooking for him, and his visits with Mom would be short and sweet.

I stopped by the bar to order a beer, then scanned the room. Clark spotted me from the two tables his trivia team sat clustered around. Tucker was here tonight, which felt a little weird since we worked together. But that was a small town for you. People did not stay in nice tidy compartments. Your co-worker was at the bar, or your boss was at the grocery store, or your ex-girlfriend was eating at the diner at the same time you were. I had more than a few of those in Granville, and I’d bumped into at least three since I’d been home. Luckily, most of them were married and settled, so it hadn’t been as awkward as it could have been.

Calista was behind the bar, looking busy but focused. “Are you here to pick up a to-go order? I don’t have anything written down.”

“Not tonight,” I said. “I’m hanging out awhile. Can I get a Michelob Ultra and an order of wings?”

She turned to pull the beer for me. “Changing it up, huh? You’re keeping me on my toes.”

Percy Helix stepped up to the bar beside me. “Oh great, it’s you again.”

“Sure is,” I said. “You should probably get used to it.”

He snorted. “Nice try, but I’m not buying it.”

Clark arrived before I could ask what he meant, but knowing Percy, it wasn’t anything worth worrying about. “Hey, Hunter, I didn’t think you’d be here tonight.”

“Last-minute decision,” I said.

“Are you joining us?”

“Yeah, of course. Why else would I be here?”

Clark smiled, looking shyly pleased, until Percy gave a slow clap. “You two should take that show on the road.”

“What’s that mean?” Clark asked, his beautiful smile falling away.

“It means you two don’t fool me. Hunter is straight, and you’re just looking to make me jealous. I see right through you.”

I bristled, not liking the way Percy was sucking away Clark’s joy.

“This isn’t about you, Percy,” Clark said. “Hunter and I are dating.”

“Okay, sure,” Percy said with a smirk. “I’ll believe it when I see more than a sad pantomime of a relationship. There’s no sparks between you. No chemistry. Now withme…”

A buzzing filled my head as his petty words got under my skin. He thought this was asad pantomime? He thought there could be nosparks?

Well, fuck that.

Clark’s words filtered in. “Believe what you want, Percy. I don’t blame you for doubting.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh that I instantly hated. “I know he’s out of my league.”

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