“What do you suggest?”

None of my outfits feel quite right for tonight. I’ve admittedly been in a funk since the dinner with my parents, and now, I’m failing at dressing myself appropriately.

I’ve sunk to an all-new low.

“I don’t know. You own a million cute things. I mean, seriously, did you borrow this from Reid’s grandma? Blink twice if they’re secretly holding you hostage and you need help.”

I give her a playful shove. “I’m not being held hostage. And that woman shows more cleavage than Mariah Carey.” A frown slips across my lips as I think about her. Bingo night was the highlight of the past month. It sucks knowing I’ll probably never see her again.  

“Go Reid’s grandma,” Mel muses. Her eyes snap to mine in dismay. “Sorry, I mean, down with Reid’s whole family. Is that where we’re at still? Just want to make sure we’re on the same page.”

“I don’t hate his grandma. She was pretty cool.” I blow out a sigh. “I don’t even know how I feel about Reid. He’s just so...”

I can’t even find the words to explain. He’s devastatingly sexy, smart, and the only person to make my knees physically shake. There’s an inherent kindness deep within him that he tries to mask beneath his gruff surface. He jumps in to help others—the night with my parents serves as a prime example of that—and calls bingo for his grandmother and her friends, for God’s sake. And even though he’s been an asshole of epic proportions and wants my job, I can’t ignore my body’s reaction to him.

Or the fact my heart aches for him.

“You are going out with Grayson tonight, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then fill me in as to why you look like someone ate your last bite of Ben and Jerry’s.”

I pull my hair into a bun. I didn’t even bother to shave because there’s a zero percent chance of anything happening tonight. “I don’t know. It just feels so wrong.” I sigh. “I mean, it’s his best friend.” I’m not one to seek revenge in that way. Mind games are a waste of time. Then again, who knows? Maybe I’ll have a good time with him.

“I’m going to give you some advice.” Mel doesn’t bother to ask whether I want her words of wisdom anymore. She likes to share her opinion the way Ellen DeGeneres gives gifts. “Reid is an idiot. For some reason, he doesn’t realize how awesome my homegirl is. So what’s wrong with a little sweet revenge like going on a date with his friend?”

“So many reasons. Like...” I list them on my fingers, ticking them off one at a time. “One, games are for high schoolers. Second, I don’t want to purposely hurt him. And three, Grayson just doesn’t do it for me.”

“How about this? Give the guy a chance. You’ve only ever talked to him a couple of times. He’s hot. He seems nice. And he’s emotionally available unlike that twat who we won’t name.” Her lips stretch into a wide smile. “Why not make your mind up after you have dinner with him? If anything, it’ll help get Reid out of your system faster.”

“True.” Just the thought of having to go to work and see him again makes my blood heat. She’s right. I haven’t given Grayson a fair shot. He might be just what I need to forget for a few minutes tonight. “You’re right. This could be a good thing.”

* * *

“You look really nice.” Grayson walks up to me at On Tap. I told him I’d meet him here since I didn’t want to clean up my apartment, and I wanted to meet on neutral turf.

Reid isn’t working tonight, which helps to ease my tension.

“Thank you.” Grayson smiles down at me. He’s in a button-up, tie, and slacks. Basically, he’s bringing his A-game tonight. He’s not bad to look at, don’t get me wrong. He has those broad swimmer’s shoulders that lead to a trim waist.

“So where are we going tonight?” I’m feeling this date on the same level as a trip to the dentist.

“It’s a surprise.”

Last time I heard that, I ended up at an old folks’ home. Though I doubt Grayson would take me anywhere like that.

He leads me out to the parking lot and puts his hand on my lower back. I wait for it. The visceral reaction to such a large hand spread across my skin.

Nada. Zip. Nothing. It’s like everything down south has shriveled up like a raisin.

He presses his key fob, and the lights flash on a sleek black sports car. My parents would love him; a guy who has money and a well-paying job. He opens the passenger door for me, and I slide in. Leather and new car smell assault my nostrils, and I frown. I’d one hundred percent take Reid’s beat-up truck, and how it smelled like him.

Okay. This is wrong. I can’t do this. I should be home, eating ice cream on the couch and scrolling through social media while watching cheesy movies on Netflix.

As soon as he slides into the driver’s seat, I say, “I have to be straight with you.”

“Yeah?” He turns to me as if he was expecting for me to say something.

Best to get this over with now before we get too far into this…date. Even thinking the word sours my mood. “I like your best friend. I don’t know why I agreed to this date in the first place. Honestly, I should have said no. But we’re here, and I’d like to have a good time—as friends.” My words are rushed, and I wince, waiting for his response. Wait for him to kick me out of his car.

Grayson quirks a brow, but he doesn’t appear surprised. “Damn. Reid wasn’t kidding about your brutal honesty. I like it.” He smirks. I can see how he’d have women fawning over him. He’s dazzling. Yet I can’t seem to get past his best friend. “And that’s a good thing.” He leans in and lowers his voice conspiratorially. “Because the whole reason I planned to take you on this date was to give Reid a swift kick in the ass so he’d come to his senses.”

“Oh, really?” I slump into the seat. My muscles relax as my tension descends from high alert, and I no longer feel like I’m going to puke.

He pulls out of the lot and navigates the downtown Miami streets with the finesse only a true local possesses.

“Yep. He’s obviously crazy about you. He just has to get his head out of his ass.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen. Plus, he’s out for my job. It’s just not in the cards for us.”

“Wouldn’t be so sure of that. I’ve been friends with him for a long time. Trust me, this is new behavior for Reid.”

“So where are we going?”

“We’re going to make Reid come to terms with his feelings.”

To punctuate his statement, he pulls in and parks in the lot of a dive bar.

Right next to Reid’s truck.