“Your relationship status,” he says. “Zane Calloway is officially off the market, and women have never wanted him more.”
* * *
I know this might come as a surprise, but I’m not really a public statement kind of guy. When I mention to Ashlyn that Nigel wants us to be more obvious that we are a couple, and going on a date wouldn’t hurt, she suggests making it a double date.
“A double date?” I ask. “With who?”
“My friend Demi and I had plans to go to that cute little tapas place tonight. Her schedule is a bit wild, so I don’t want to blow her off,” Ashlyn explains as she struggles to put an earring in. She’s wearing a peacock green summer dress that is layered and flowy and ties in the back, showing off most of her back. She looks amazing. “If you can think of a friend you could invite, itcould be fun. And what says look at us, we are in a relationship more than a double date?”
She’s not wrong. Honestly, I am kind of impressed.
“I guess my friend Caleb would probably be game,” I say.
“Caleb. Wait. As in Cal Flynn?” she asks.
“You’ve heard of him.” I say. It’s not a question. I can tell by her tone.
“I mean, who hasn’t? He models for firefighter calendars,” she says. A tinge of something hot runs through my veins. Is that jealousy I’m feeling?
“Well. Let’s do it,” I say.
“Cool, I’ll text Demi and let her know,” she says, and I can’t help but smile. She seems excited, and that makes me feel good in more ways than one.
Later, we are at Little Madrid, sitting on the patio together, Cal across from me and Demi across from Ashlyn. I was honestly a little unsure about all of it, but the energy between the four of us is great. Demi and Calare similar in the same way Ashlyn and I are. She gives him a run for his money, which is entertaining as hell for me.
“So let me get this straight,” Demi says to him as he loads a chip with salsa. “You’re not a real firefighter.”
“I am not,” he says. “And from my understanding, I start a lot more fires than I put out,” he winks.
Demi rolls her eyes, Ashlyn laughs, and I just smile.
This is fun. I’m not blind to all the people whispering and taking photos of us. Nigel will be tickled pink when I go into work again, I am sure. After all, what’s a better surprise for the restaurant patrons than seeing two supermodels and two gorgeous women having a casual dinner together?
“So let’s talk about you two,” Demi says, turning the attention over to Ashlyn and I.
“Yes, let’s,” Cal agrees. “I think you guys are adorable together.”
I give him a look that he swats away like a fly, and Ashlyn blushes.
“I don’t buy it,” Demi says, and all of us look at her as she takes a sip of her margarita. “What? I don’t.”
“Why not?” Ashlyn asks.
“You’re not convincing enough,” Demi says casually.
“The only reason you don’t think it’s convincing is because you and Cal know it’s not real,” Ashlyn whispers.
“That and the two of you got the seven-year gap between you,” Cal says and Demi nods.
“Exactly!”
“The seven year what?” I ask.
“The three-year gap,” Demi explains. “When couples first get together, they’re all over each other. Practically sitting on each other’s laps. After a while, they still sit close, but it’s more touching than actively crawling all over one another. After more time, there’s an inch or two between them, nothing bad. But after that–”
“About three years typically,” Cal adds in.
“There is a bigger gap. Almost enough for another person to squeeze in if they wanted to. The three-year gap,” she concludes.
