AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you actually that conceited?” Annika asked.
“I’m not conceited. Okay, I am, but I just mean I’m better for Marigold.”
“Since when?” Annika asked. “I thought you didn’t like her. You always act like you hate her.”
Damn it, that whole ignored her for a million years thing again. “I know, that was just me being stupid. I never hated her. I tried to explain that to her, but I don’t think I got the message across very well. Especially considering she stormed inside and slammed the door.”
“Can we back up?” Audrey asked. “Why did you act like you hated her?”
“It’s a long story.”
They watched me silently, eyebrows raised, as if waiting for me to continue.
Damn it. Again.
“I did something stupid and I hurt her. And then I made it worse by avoiding her because I felt like shit about it, which made her think I hated her, which made me avoid her more.”
“But now you’re claiming you’re in love with her?” Annika asked.
“I’m not claiming anything, I’m telling you I am. I told her too, but she didn’t believe me. That’s why I need the two of you.”
“You think I’m going to help you convince my best friend you’re in love with her?” Annika asked.
“Why do you make that sound like the worst thing you’ve ever heard in your life?”
“Because you can’t be serious.”
“Why not?” Audrey asked, turning to Annika. “He could be in love with her.”
I grinned at Audrey. “I knew I liked you.”
Annika sputtered for a second before answering. “She’s my best friend.”
“Thanks, captain obvious, we’re aware of that,” I said. “That’s why you’re here.”
“No, I mean I can’t take your side.”
“I’m your brother.”
“And Marigold is… Marigold. She’s too sweet.”
“Too sweet for me? I’m trying not to be insulted here, but it sounds like you’re saying you don’t think I’m good enough for your best friend.”
“No, Z, I don’t mean it that way.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “You’re my brother, and I love you, but let’s be honest. Your track record with women isn’t the greatest.”
“This is different. And my track record isn’t as bad as you think it is.”
“When was the last time you had a serious girlfriend?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but I couldn’t quite remember. It had been a while. And what did serious girlfriend mean, anyway?
“See, you can’t even tell me,” she said. “You flit in and out of women’s lives like they’re entertainment.”
“No, I don’t.” I rolled my eyes. “Okay, I do that sometimes. I like to have fun. And women are the best kind of fun.”
She raised her eyebrows and damn, she looked like our mom when she did that.
“Not just to sleep with,” I said. “I don’t sleep with every woman I meet. I don’t even sleep with every woman I could.” My voice quieted and I glanced away. “One-night stands aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. I figured that out a long time ago.”
