Page 26 of The Bad Husband

“No, it’s not. I don’t want a serious relationship. Not now. I don’t want to think about it. I want to have some fun. That’s it. He can be shy. I have no problem with that. But if he’s looking for a serious girl, that won’t be me right now, so he’s a no. Is there anyone else?”

She thinks about it for a moment.

“Why don’t you give Nicky a try?” I ask as she fails to come up with an answer.

She dismisses my idea with a shake of her head.

“I don’t like timid guys and serious relationships. They’re too much work.”

I nod along.

“See,” I murmur.

“There’s this guy,” she says, not very convinced about my second option. “A former co-worker. He’s working at the bar where I worked last summer. He’s a player, through and through. I don’t know whether you’d like his style, though. He’s a bit too much. And he is absolutely not your type. He’ll annoy the hell out of you. But he might be your surest bet for the summer if you don’t mind a drink or two before you sleep with him.”

My hackles rise.

That’s absolutely not my guy.

“He won’t be my man for the summer if he’s a player.”

“I just wanted to make him appear more appealing to you.”

“Ugh.”

I take my head in my hands and slowly shake it in frustration, laughing at the same time.

“What about you?” I say, straightening and moving my eyes to her. “What will you do?”

“I’ll take my chance at a club. A bit of alcohol, some stupid conversation, and a dimly lit room will do the trick for me.

“Lucky you.”

I suck in a long breath.

“Okay. Let’s do this. I’ll meet the second guy. What’s his name?”

“Frankie.”

I roll my eyes to her delight.

“I’ll meet Frankie. Somehow.”

“We can go to the bar where he works.”

“Great. This way, I can talk to him and see if he might work for me.”

“He won’t work for you, but he might end this irritating dry spell you’re struggling with.”

“Let’s not talk about that. And then, I’ll meet Nicky if things don’t work out with Frankie. Nicky and I could be friends if nothing else.”

“Right. Because all Nicky wants is to get friend-zoned by someone like you.”

“That’s the best I can do. My head buzzes with anxious thoughts already. See, that’s why I didn’t want to hook up in the first place. It’s so much work.”

“Speaking of work. What time do you finish work on Friday?”

“Seven.”