Page 5 of Big Dick Energy

For one horrifying second, I forgot how to breathe, and then I remembered who I was talking to.

“I'm sure they're very impressive,” I said sweetly. “Full of championship belts and mirrors and your own reflection telling you how pretty you are.”

He laughed, that same genuine, surprised laugh from the engagement party that transformed his face from annoying to almost… likable.

“God, I've missed this,” he said, shaking his head.

“Missed what? Having someone call you on your garbage?”

“Having someone who doesn't treat me like a God.” His eyes met mine, and for a split second, he looked almost human. “It's refreshing.”

I blinked, momentarily thrown. “Well. Good thing I'm here to keep your ego in check.”

“My hero.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “Truly.”

I rolled my eyes and finally managed to step around him. “Enjoy the rest of your date. Try not to bore her with too many stories about yourself.”

“Enjoy your...” he paused, that smirk returning, “important phone call guy.”

I didn't dignify that with a response. I simply held my head high and walked toward the exit with as much grace as a woman who just verbally sparred with her nemesis could muster.

But just before I pushed through the door, Dallas called out: “See you at the wedding, Davidson.”

I made the mistake of glancing back.

He was still standing there, watching me leave. His date's seat was still empty.

I pushed through the door and out into the Tampa evening air, determined to forget the whole encounter.

CHAPTER 2

THE DACHSHUND THERAPIST

DAVINA

The walk home was exactly twelve blocks of pure, distilled humiliation.

I passed a couple kissing against a lamppost, their bodies pressed together, and a group of girls in matching bachelorette sashes, shrieking with joy outside a bar called The Tipsy Flamingo.

The Tampa air was thick and warm, carrying the faint smell of saltwater. My heels clicked against the sidewalk in a rhythm that sounded suspiciously like pathetic, pathetic, pathetic.

And because my brain was apparently a traitor, it kept replaying the encounter with Dallas.

You have no idea what happens in my dreams.

I shook my head violently, startling a woman walking past me. She clutched her purse tighter and picked up her pace.

Great. Now I was the crazy lady on the street.

But seriously…what kind of line was that?

Having someone who doesn't treat me like a god. It's refreshing.

I made a gagging sound.

The audacity of that man to stand there and say something that almost sounded genuine.

Dallas Dodger didn't do genuine.