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“Don’t kid yourself, Amin. Some of us are immune to your charms,” I lie.
“So you say.”
See…thisis why I can never squish the final embers of my crush for Darius. I give myself all these stern lectures about how he’s not interested in me, about how it’s been a whole year and he’s never made a move, but then Darius will flirt, he’ll say something likethat,and I’m back to square one. Back to wondering.
Hoping.
Longing.
It would be cruel except Darius really doesn’t know how I feel. He has no idea that these tiny moments of flirtation with him hurt me more than a whole failed relationship would with someone else.
I mean, probably. As an eternally single girl, I wouldn’t really know. Too busy mooning after this roguish composer.
“So,” Darius says. “Hot date for the party tonight?”
I scoff, fogging my own glasses. “Hardly.”
It’s our office’s anniversary party. Ten years of Grapevine Creative Agency, celebrated on a skyscraper rooftop with a live band and an open bar. It’s all anyone’s talked about for months, and of course I’m going, but Darius’s question sticks me with a sliver of doubt.
Ishebringing a date? Will I have to watch that? Will I have to laugh and chat and make polite conversation with whicheverlucky woman won him for the night, all as punishment for crushing on my friend?
Maybe I’ll fake a headache. Rooftop parties are probably super windy anyway, and yes, I bought that amazing dress—but I’m not sure I can pull it off.
“No one’s caught your eye, huh?” Darius rubs his firm jaw, considering. “That’s fair. I can’t believe anyone would ever deserve you, Luce.”
And that issofar from the problem that I can’t help my bitter laugh. “As if. No, someone would have to ask me first, Darius. I have zero practice at dating. I’m twenty five years old and I’ve never even been kissed.”
The composer’s eyes flare with surprise, and I replay my words with mounting horror.
Never. Been. Kissed.
Why? Why did I tell him that? Aah! Why did I just confess to my all-consuming crush that I’m a twenty five year old virgin, and no one wants me? The sounds of the busy office swell and blur together, mingling with my rattling pulse, and Darius’s lips move, but I don’t hear the words.
“Huh?”
“I said I’ll help you. I’ll be your practice, if you want.” Darius smiles at me, sunny and calm, like he just offered me a cupful of sugar rather thandating practice. What the—? “We could go to the party together. I’ll show you off; build up your confidence. Let you feel what a real date is like.”
A date with Darius Amin would be unlike a date with any other man. This, I am sure of, just like I’m sure this idea is a one-way street to a broken heart. How can I pretend to date the man I’m already madly in love with? How would I survive that? But…
“O-okay,” my treacherous mouth says. “Sure.”
Gah!
Darius blinks and straightens in his chair, like he didn’t expect me to agree. “Ah… good. Good! So I’ll pick you up at seven?”
Throat too tight to speak, I nod.
Darius leaves in a rustle of foliage, and I’m left with clammy hands and a fizzy, swooping feeling in my chest.
A fake date with my handsome friend.
With the charmer who breaks hearts everywhere he goes.
What am I thinking?
Three
Darius
