Page 26 of Champagne & Handcuffs

“Like I said, she ain’t ugly.”

“Then why is she single?”

“Why are you single?” he countered.

“Because I live with a cock block.”

“I’m not asking you to fuck my sister. I’ll cut your dick off if you do that.”

“Whoa.” I held up my hands in defense. “I ain’t gonna sleep with her. I’m not the type.”

We both laughed. I was a dude, so if a chick wanted to put out on the first date, of course I’d hit that. But not with Cat in the picture, and not with Gibbs’s sister no matter how hot she might be.

“Not the type my ass.” He shook his head. “Dinner and drinks only, all right?”

I pointed my finger at him. “I do this, and we’re even.”

He smiled. “Yeah. We’ll be even—unless you break her heart.”

“Break her heart after one date?”

“Let her down easy. Be a jackass for all I care, but just don’t be mean.”

“And when it doesn’t work out, you’ll remember that was the plan?”

“Look. I’m not asking you to marry her. Just buy her some dinner so she stops bugging me.”

“Fine. Set it up for Friday.”

When I talkedto Cat earlier, I didn’t tell her I had a date. No girl wants to hear about a guy they’ve hooked up with going on a date with another chick. And even though Cat and I weren’t official, she was still Cat. I didn’t want to hurt her. If I told her that it was a favor for my partner, she’d say she understood, but really, in the back of her mind, I knew she’d wonder if I was telling the truth. I just didn’t want to put Cat through that.

“Where are you going?” Joss asked as I came out of my room.

“Out.”

“On a date?” she sang.

“No, I’m going to grab beers with the guys at Lola’s,” I lied. I didn’t want to chance Joss accidentally telling Cat.

“Can I come?”

I stopped walking toward the door. “You want to come? You never want to go anywhere.”

“I’m starting to feel like my old self again, Sethie.”

I walked to her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. “I’d love for you to come, Jossie, but this is a guy’s night out, and we’re going to a bar.”

She sighed. “Okay. Can I come next time?”

“Yes. Next time. Promise.”

I felt bad lying to her. But I had my reasons.

While I was stopped at a red light, I texted Cat. I know, shame on me, but I was thinking about her.

Me:I miss you, Kitty Cat. Hope you’re having a good night.

By the time I made it to the bar where I was meeting Gibbs’s sister, Annie, Cat hadn’t texted me back. It was a little unusual, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I wanted to make this night as short as possible.