Page 47 of Real Fake Husband

His question comes out of nowhere and catches me off guard. “Which friend?”

“You know, the brunette she works with. Side-braid. I think her name was Kaylin.”

“Ah, yeah, not much. I know they’re close, but that’s about it. It’s not like Josie and I share every detail about our lives.”

“Do you know if she’s seeing anyone?”

I remember the lunch we just had and how Theo had shamelessly looked her over. I smirk. “You weren’t even remotely subtle about checking her out.”

“How could I be? Did you see those big blue eyes? My God. Not to mention she was fucking smoking.” He makes a noise in the back of his throat and shakes his head. “She reminds me of Jessica Lilly Dawson, remember her?”

“The bookworm with glasses?” I ask, my brows furrowing.

“So what? She was hot. Andnotinto me.”

“You certainly have a type.”

“Well, so do you.”

He’s not wrong there. We smirk at each other.

“You should ask her out,” I tell him. “This Kaylin chick.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why I asked if you knew whether or not she was seeing anyone.”

“No idea. I don’t think she is. Next time we go, you should ask for her number.”

“I thought about it, but I didn’t want to do it while she’s working. Also, not sure if she’s into me. Not all chicks like tattoos, piercings, and shit. Don’t want her to think I’m some kind of creep who’s stalking her or something.”

I snort in amusement, assessing the huge-ass mountain of a man. He’s an ugly-ass motherfucker—his words, not mine—about three inches taller than me (I’m six foot one), with a bushy beard, and his black hair ends in a short wavy ponytail, like he doesn’t give two fucks. “Don’t tell me you’rescaredof a small waitress?”

His lips twitch. “Me?Never.”

“I can ask Josie to give her your number.”

His eyes light up. “Fuckyeah. Thanks, man.”

“No problem,” I say, bumping his fist.

“How about you?” he asks, changing the subject. “Getting laid any time soon? I bet this whole marriage thing is really cutting into your dating life.”

“Yeah, you could say that. Can’t exactly bring a chick home and be like, ‘Oh, just ignore the woman sleeping on the couch. She’s technically my wife, but it’s cool.’”

He laughs. “All right, all right, fair point. I just think the whole thing is fucking hilarious. Especially the whole bet situation you’ve got going on. I take it that’s still on the table.”

Oh, yeah, I told him about that this morning while we were getting ready for our drive. He knows the details of what happens when I win. And I’m going to win. There’s no doubt in my mind.

“So far so good,” I say. “I’ve never seen her clean up after herself before.”

“Imagine, all it took was the idea of kissing you. Man, she really can’t stand you.”

“Gee, thanks, dude.”

“Come on, you had to know she would freak out,” Theo says. “This is Josie we’re talking about. The two of you can’t be in the same room without arguing.”

“We didn’t argue at lunch,” I point out.

“You bickered.”

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