“But I don’t know how to just talk to someone,” Gabe said. “I’m all or nothing. I’m a relationship guy.”
“Well, then, good thing you have these two here to help you,” Laurel said, gesturing at me and Everett. “Last I checked, they’re both experts at no strings.”
Everett and I exchanged a quick, panicked glance, but Gabe’s puppy-eyed expression told me we weren’t caught.
“Gabe,” I said, ignoring the small sting Laurel’s comment left behind. “Everett and I will guide you through finding someone fortonightrather than forever. Okay?”
“Okay,” Gabe said, sitting up, an eager student.
“I’m going to scout out the bachelorette party over there,” Laurel said, picking up her drink and nodding toward the far side of the bar.
Everett moved from his side of the booth to mine so we were both facing Gabe, who still looked glum. His arm brushed against mine, and I had to fight the urge to lean against him, let his warmth seep into me. I stayed still.
“Okay,” I said. “Gabe. What would you say to a girl you just met?”
“This is stupid,” Gabe said. Then, quickly, “Come here often?”
“You wouldn’t say that,” Everett said.
“Why not?”
“Because you’re not looking for apickupline,” I said. “More of an opening line.”
“What’s the difference?” Gabe asked, leaning forward. He kind of looked as if he’d like to take notes.
“One runs the risk of you looking like a sleaze,” I said. “The other one is just human. You’re just talking to another person.”
“Hmm,” Gabe mused, before looking at Everett. “What would your opening line be?”
Everett squinted a little, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Contrary to Laurel’s belief, I’m not actually picking up women all that often.”
“Sutton just said it’s not a pickup,” Gabe pointed out.
“Okay, I’m not meeting women in bars all that often.”
“But you’re the one who said I should do this,” Gabe said. “This was all your idea!”
“You’re right,” Everett said. “I’m sorry.”
“Whereareyou meeting women, then?” Gabe asked.
Everett shifted a little. I could feel him glance down at me, so I looked up at him, face curious as Gabe’s. If we were going to give him advice, we couldn’t worry about hurting each other’s feelings by talking about the other people we saw during the year. Besides, in our arrangement, that didn’t matter. We were nowhere near exclusive.
“Through friends,” Everett said, turning back to Gabe. “At work, events and stuff.”
“Parties,” I added, smirking when Everett’s elbow dug into my side.
“But that’s not the point,” Everett said. “Where do you meet anyone? We’re at a bar right now, which I’ve heard is a great place to meet people.”
Gabe glanced around morosely. “I met Zoey in a history seminar.”
I nudged Everett. “Didn’t Gabe ask what your opening line would be?” I asked. Everett narrowed his eyes my direction.
“You could just say hi,” Everett said.
“Hi,” Gabe repeated.
“I’ve heard it works,” I said.
