Page 15 of Rooting for Kiran (The Mate-Cute #1)

THEA

“You mean to tell me that you had the best sex of your life, all night long , mind you, and you haven’t gone back for more?” Wren questions from across the table, nearly spilling her beer in her shock and dismay. “What the fuck is wrong with you? It’s a Valentine’s miracle!”

I purse my lips as I angrily fork at my salad starter. We’re doing our weekly girl dinner at a local bar and grill, and I’m giving her the best lowdown I can on my wild sexcapade night without bringing up the other form of Kiran that fucked me silly.

“Wren, please.” I think about my words carefully while I chew a bite of lettuce before gulping it down. “You know what my schedule is like. I make overtime look like child’s play, and I’m exhausted when I’m not at work. I don’t know how many times I have to say this.”

She slams a hand on the table. “But yet, you’re at dinner with me.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“No. I’m right.” Wren reaches over to take one of my hands in hers. “Love is fucking scary, Thea. Everyone is working their asses off. Life is busy for all of us. I think everyone struggles with mental health in some fashion. The entire damn world is beyond exhausted. We could all make up excuse after excuse for the rest of our days. But we won’t find the one we’re destined for by always running away from taking the leap. There’s someone out there for all of us who will understand our schedules, our mental state, and our lives. I think you should go for it. You told Kiran what’s going on. You guys could make it work. You rock at being alone, but there’s nothing wrong with being with someone either. Especially if it’s what you want.”

I gulp, pulling my hand away. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”

She laughs, her beautifully crooked smile brightening her entire face. “Are any of us?”

“I guess not… I just—I don’t know, Wren. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Well, you know what?”

I quirk a brow at her question.

“I’m rooting for Kiran, and that’s all I’m going to say.”

Yeah… Maybe I’m secretly rooting for Kiran, too.

By the time I get home from the restaurant, it takes everything in me to shower, change into my pajamas, and carry Willy to the kitchen for some TLC. I’d like to prune his leaves, wipe down the outside of his pot, and get him watered.

I think I’m really starting to love this guy. Is it normal to love a plant? Maybe it’s because I named him and even wrote it in permanent marker on his pot?

Getting him to the kitchen counter, I can’t help but cradle his penile arm in my hand. Why, I don’t know. Okay. Maybe I do. Maybe— just maybe—I’m missing Kiran and his phenomenal dick.

But I’m keeping that secret to myself.

DING DONG .

“Damn it!” I yell, accidentally cracking off Willy’s willy in the process of getting startled. “Not again. Oh, Willy. I’m so sorry. Just one second. I bet your Aunt Wren is here to bother me some more.”

With angry feet, I trudge to the door and peek through the peephole to find—

Wait a second.

“Kiran?” I whisper.

What the hell is he doing here?

Carefully unlocking and opening the door, I come face-to-face with the alien god himself, unable to contain the smile that overtakes my face at the full-toothed grin he’s donning.

“What are you doing here? At ten o’clock at night?” I question. “And how did you even figure out where I live?”

Kiran’s eyes widen as they flick between my face and my…body? Is he checking me out in my pajamas? They’re just a ratty pair of sleep shorts and a tank. Nothing to write home about, surely.

“Should I be worried?” he asks.

My face contorts of its own accord. “What? Why?”

He points at my—oh, shit—the damn plant penis that is broken and in my hand!

“Ohhhhh, that. Well—you see… Long story short, the doorbell startled me as I was taking care of Willy, and his willy sort of…snapped off—again…” I cringe at the admission. “Poor thing is rather delicate.”

Kiran laughs. “You were taking care of Willy? In what way? Should I be jealous?”

Leaning out of the doorway, I thwack him on the chest. “No, you pervert. Get your head out of the gutter.”

He raises his hands in mock surrender. “No can do, sweet girl. I’m around you, remember? Which means my mind is already there.”

I roll my eyes. “What do you want, Kiran?”

The paper bag sitting in the crook of his elbow crinkles as he lowers his forearms. “How do you feel about dessert?”

“Uh, good? Who doesn’t like dessert?”

He shrugs. “Serial killers?”

My head flies back with uncontrollable laughter. “Do you want to come in before I wake up the neighbors? We can talk more about dessert and serial killers when you’re out of the cold.”

Hopefully, he can save my plant’s penis while he’s here.