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“I appreciate the offer, Hannah, but I’m not looking to date right now. When I am, though, you’ll be the first person I call.”
“Okay. It was worth a shot.”
Olin offered her a tight smile and then excused himself. He found Xeni talking to their host, Emily. Xeni was happily married, but as soon as he caught the gist of their conversation, he could have kissed her.
“Are you sure you guys can’t stay? We have a really yummy apple sorbet coming up,” Emily said as she jutted out her lower lip.
“I know, but Mason is coming home for twenty-four hours tomorrow and I need to hide how I live when he’s not around,” Xeni said. “Plus, Olin here is my ride so I have to drag him with me.”
“This was a great event, Emily,” Olin said. “I’ll be in touch with Representative Garza soon.”
“I'll be sure to tell him.”
They said their goodbyes and then Olin followed Xeni out to the valets Emily had waiting in her driveway. Olin handed over his ticket and then stretched his neck.
“You survived,” Xeni chuckled.
“Barely. I’m starving.”
“Me too.”
“I’m gonna stop at In-N-Out.”
“Oh thank God,” she breathed out. “I do love sorbet, though.”
Olin’s S-Class pulled around and he wasted no time tipping the valet so they could get the fuck out of there. He finally took his own deep breath when they were back on the PCH and far enough from Emily’s home. And Hannah and Cindy.
“What did Hannah want back there?” Xeni asked. She shifted back in the passenger seat and stretched out her legs.
“She asked me if I was gay.”
“What?! Just flat out asked you?”
“She seemed convinced that I need Cindy Dawes in my life and then she gave a thorough presentation on why I should date another of her friends. Michelle something.”
“I won’t be so bold as to say I know what you need, but Cindy Dawes definitely touched my hair the first time I met her, so she can suck a dick.”
Olin snorted, glad his instincts were right. He knew that Cindy wasn’t a good match for him and he knew Xeni wouldn’t judge him for turning her down. That’s why they got along. She understood that he spoke honestly, even if it wasn’t what people wanted to hear. It helped that he never tried to be a dick, but still, very few people wanted to hear the truth.
It worked in the tech world, especially when he was the boss. Being blunt and correct in the boardroom was seen as a valuable, efficient skill. It was part of the reason he had done so well for himself. But none of his “skills” translated to what most people expected from him socially. It was pretty fucking annoying.
“Can I say something?” he asked.
Out of the corner of his eye, Olin saw Xeni turn from gazing at the ocean along the highway to look at him. “Of course. Shoot.”
“I don’t really understand the whole dating thing.”
“Explain.”
“I don’t get it. If you like someone, just marry them. If you don’t, then leave them alone.”
Xeni snorted. “You’re not wrong. I married Mason first and then realized I liked him, but I definitely wouldn’t have kept him if we weren’t on the same wavelength.”
“I don’t know. I told Cindy no twice.”
“Well, she’s just rude, but I get you. Some people see this whole dating thing as a game. Playground rules and all. You don’t wanna date. People should leave you alone about it.”
“They won’t though.” It felt like Olin’s new lot in life, forever being nagged about his single status. He had what he needed. His dad and his brothers, his dog, a handful of people he valued as friends, Justin and Brianna who assisted in business and at home. He was fine. “I need a fake girlfriend,” he said out loud, more to himself. Of course Xeni heard him.
