A few hours later, I sat in Rhett’s office. He poured over a stack of reports while I stared into space. Outside the one-way glass wall, employees bustled about in conservative three-piece suits and dresses. Watching them renewed my happiness of being self-employed and free to wear anything I wanted. Although I admired Rhett’s ambition and success, I could never spend my days chained to a corporate desk.

“I can hear your gears grinding,” he said without looking up from his paperwork. “What kind of mayhem are you plotting today?”

“If you wanted to make an impression on a girl, how would you do it?” I blurted the question in my usual blunt, no-nonsense fashion. Rhett stared at me like I’d sprouted horns. A cold sweat sprung up on my chest. “Don’t look at me like that.”

His brows lowered in mock concern. “You’re asking me for dating advice?” He dropped the papers, cocked his head, and picked up a pen.

“Don’t be a dick.” With an index finger, I circled the rim of my coffee cup, once, twice, then once again. “You’re the only person I can ask shit like this.”

“Anyone else would make you turn in your man card.” He smirked, and I let him get away with it. Since grade school, I’d harassed him for his romantic notions, the way he’d wooed girls with his bright smile and sensitivity. While I’d been fucking the cheerleader captain beneath the bleachers, he’d been writing poems for the class valedictorian and winning the girls.

“Who, exactly, are you wanting to woo?” While he talked, he scribbled comments on a notepad.

“Don’t say that.”

“Say what?”

“‘Woo.’ It’s weird and creepy.”

“Alright. Who do you want to seduce?”

“Not that it’s your business, but it’s Jo.”

His ink pen stopped moving mid-sentence. Very slowly, he lowered the pen, placing it alongside the computer keyboard. “Hold on a second.” This was an obstacle I’d conveniently forgotten, his disapproval. He clasped his hands together and rested them on the desk between us. “Let me get this straight. You want a relationship? With Jo?”

“Sure. Who else? Keep up, Easton.” I eased back in the chair, hiding my sudden anxiety beneath the cover of cockiness.

“I don’t know. There have been so many others.” The iron edge to his voice made me wince. “If you’re just doing this so you can fuck her over later, I’ll kick your ass.”

Of course, he’d have reservations about my sincerity. “I’m serious.” I scratched my beard. “I haven’t been with anyone since Jo and I started fooling around, and I don’t want anyone else.”

“You say that today, but what happens two weeks or two months from now when things start to get tough? Or when you’re out drinking with your buddies and a hot girl hits on you? She’s like Bronte. The Hollander girls give one hundred percent to the people they love. Jo deserves someone who will love her back that way. Is that something you can do? Because, honestly, I’m not so sure.”

Silence blanketed the room. I had no idea how to respond. Rhett, knowing me better than anyone, had touched upon all my weaknesses. I left my chair and went to the window. On the street below, people went about their daily lives. An elderly couple held hands as they walked along the tree-lined sidewalks. Unless I changed my ways, that would never be me. I’d been perfectly happy living a life of debauchery until my path had crossed with Jo. Now, the only future I wanted had her in it.

“I know I’m not good enough for her.” During my life, people had constantly reminded me that I was an embarrassment or a nuisance or unworthy. “And I know my past is sketchy, to say the least, but if I don’t try, I’ll never forgive myself.” When he didn’t reply, I turned around to find him grinning at me like a psychopath. I glowered at him. “You think this is funny?”

“Hell yes. I’ve been waiting for this moment for years.” He shifted in his chair, still smiling. “Just give me a minute. I want to enjoy this.” His shoulders began to shake with laughter.

“Thanks a lot. I’m glad you find my heartbreak amusing. You’ve been a great help.” My menacing glare did nothing to assuage his amusement.

He dabbed at the moisture in his eyes. “No, seriously. Since we were kids, I’ve been dreaming about the day you fell in love. Just once. And now you’ve gone and fallen for the one person least likely to return your feelings.” I raised my middle finger, causing his smile to widen. “Yes, this is an amazing day. What next?”

“Maybe monkeys will fly out of your butt. That would make me feel a whole lot better.”

“Alright.” He lifted a hand, his expression sobering. “I’m sorry. Wait, no I’m not.” The smile returned. “But if you’re truly sincere, I’m willing to help.”