The Introvert's Guide to Online Dating - Emma Hart Page 0,20
“Is this a good idea?”
It was my turn to smile. “No. But I have no choice, evidently.”
“Well, try not to break a window when you attempt to throw him through it.” She flipped a page on the pad. “What can I get you all?”
We all placed our orders, then I called her back. “Do you have any custard pies?”
Johanna tilted her head to the side. “Custard pie? No. Why? I’ve never seen you eat custard pie in my life.”
“Well, the summer fair is coming up, and I wanted to practice my aim,” I mused. “Since Colton is right here and I can’t stand his face, I thought now might be a good time.”
She held up her hands and walked away, shaking her head and muttering something about how she wasn’t even our mother but we were going to kill her anyway.
She wasn’t wrong.
“Do you wake up every morning and think up ways to irritate me or does it just happen?” Colton asked, staring down the table at me.
“It just happens. It comes so naturally that it’s basically second nature now.”
“Do we have to listen to you two bitching at each other all lunch?” Josh asked, looking between us.
Piper snorted. “You’re the ones who sat here. You started it.”
“Don’t you two start,” London said. “I already have enough arguments with a six-year-old who knows everything. I just want to eat some soup and a sandwich in peace.”
“There’s no such thing as peace in White Peak,” I muttered, pulling my phone from my purse. If I was on my phone, I couldn’t argue with Colton. It was rude, sure, but it was be rude or potentially stab him with the nearest sharp object.
Being in a café, that was a knife.
And orange just wasn’t my color.
I had a text from Grandma with way too many emojis for my liking. I replied with the reassurance that I’d be by this afternoon when their yoga class was done and I had everything she’d asked for.
Even the bras.
A notification popped up with a new message.
COLTON: You are pissed today.
ME: Are you really fucking texting me from across the table?
Unbelievable.
COLTON: Who pissed in your cereal?
ME: You. You pissed in my cereal. Go away.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, grabbing my purse. I escaped to the bathroom where I locked myself in the ladies and took care of business, then took a deep breath.
My God.
He was infuriating.
He got under my skin like nobody else, and I wish he’d crawl back out.
I left the cubicle, washed my hands, then made my way back out, almost walking right into Colton. “What are you doing?” I hissed.
He raised his eyebrows. “What? Can’t I use the bathroom?”
“Then use it.” My voice was so muffled thanks to the fact I had my jaw clamped in place. “Excuse me.”
“Hey.” He put his arm out to stop me walking past. “Are you okay?”
“Do I look okay?” I peered up at him. “My womb is trying to kill me from the inside out, tampons are hideously expensive, and you’ve got an attitude.”
“You’re the one with the attitude.”
“My womb is trying to kill me,” I repeated. “I’m allowed an attitude. What’s your excuse, other than being a raging pain in my ass?”
“Tori.”
“What, Colton? What do you want?”
He sighed, dropping his arm. “I just wanted to apologize for Friday night. You’re right.”
I blinked.
Did he just say I was right?
“I’m listening.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“I thought that would do it,” he said dryly, but there was a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Why did I want to kiss him?
Ugh.
He stepped closer and leaned in, lowering his voice. “You’re right. It’s just sex. You don’t owe me anything. You can date who you want, whenever you want.”
I swallowed. Even though I knew it was true, I still didn’t like to hear him say ‘it’s just sex.’ “Well, thank you. And I’m… sorry… I yelled at you.”
“That really hurt you to do that, didn’t it?”
“Yes. Killed me a little bit.”
His smile was impish and playful, the kind of smile I rarely saw grace his lips. “Only a little bit?”
“Can we move on?”
He laughed. “Just do me a favor.”
“What?”
“Let me know if you find a guy you like.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m gonna need to find another fuck buddy.”
I stared at him. “Really?”
“Really. I’m gonna need to replace you, aren’t I?”
Snorting, I stepped back. “You can try. I’m irreplaceable.”
“I know.” His voice was softer that time, and the impish smile had fallen to a softer, gentler one that was reflected