The Introvert's Guide to Online Dating - Emma Hart Page 0,28
a blank expression. “What are you talking about?”
She drew in a deep breath and straightened up. “I know about you and Colton.”
I blinked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I know you’ve been hooking up for the last few months, and I know he’s the person you were talking about today.”
I pressed my lips together.
“And I’m the reason you feel like this,” she said, wrapping her arms around her waist. “So I’m sorry.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “How did you find out?”
“I saw your car near his house a few times. It was always late, and it was gone by morning. He’s been defensive about what he’s been doing in his spare time, and so have you. You’d often not be available at the same times, so I assumed you were secretly dating.”
“Yeah, no. Not quite.” I folded my arms and tucked my hands against the side of my boobs.
They were freezing.
“Well, when he talked about meeting Cora, I realized it wasn’t serious, and then this morning…”
“I confirmed all your suspicions.”
“Pretty much.” She shifted. “I didn’t know. That you had feelings for him. If I did, I wouldn’t have set him up on the dating website. I, uh, I actually assumed he had them for you, and I kind of hoped the website would make him be honest about it.”
“It’s fine.” I smiled, but there wasn’t much to it. “It was never meant to be anything more than just sex. It started after that stupid Valentine’s blind date thing at the bar. We were drunk, came back here, and it just happened.”
“But it is more,” she said softly. “And judging by the look on your face, you like him a lot more than you’re letting on.”
“Can we leave it? Please?”
“Tori.”
“I’m pretty much in love with him, Kinsley, okay?” The words spilled out of me. “But I can’t stand to be around him because it just reminds me that I’m nothing more than a booty call to him. He’s coming over on Friday, and I’m ending it, okay?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You said it yourself that the relationship has to evolve or end, and I’m sure Cora is perfect for him, so I’m ending it.”
“You’re not going to tell him how you feel?”
“No, and neither are you,” I said firmly.
“What if he feels the same?”
“This stays between us, Kinsley.”
“I understand. I won’t tell him. I promise.” She stepped closer to me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“No, I’m not, but I’ll be fine.” My smile was pathetic. “Nobody else knows, do they?”
“Only Josh, but that’s because we figured it out together. We haven’t told anyone else. It’s none of their business.”
“None of yours, either.”
“Hide it better, then.” She grinned, and for the first time all day, I really, truly smiled.
Thank God.
CHAPTER NINE – TORI
rule nine: know the other person is actually getting your messages. otherwise, you’re just a man shouting at the coach of his favorite sports team on tv.
“How did your date go?” Dylan asked Colton, peering down the table. “It was last night, right?”
I stiffened for a moment but focused on picking the pickles out of my burger. As soon as I took them out, Saylor swiped them and put them on the side of her plate.
“No, later. We’re meeting for a drink,” Colton replied. “I might cancel. Seb was a slave driver today.”
“Nah, it’s just a drink,” Dylan continued, dipping a fry into ketchup. “Where are you meeting?”
“Here,” he replied, referring to Bronco’s.
Note to self: go home soon.
“What time?”
“About an hour.”
“Jesus, you sound like a pair of girls,” Saylor said, picking up her burger. “Shut up.”
Dylan laughed. “Don’t think I haven’t seen you stealing Tori’s pickles. I’m not sleeping in your room tonight.”
I snorted, quickly burying the laughter.
“Good. I feel like starfishing,” she shot back. “Your long legs take up too much room anyway.”
He grinned at her. “You’re not usually complaining about my long limbs.”
“Mic drop,” I muttered.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.” I mustered up a smile for him. “So, Cora?” I said to Colton, pretending.
He didn’t look me in the eye.
Hm.
“Yeah, Cora. She’s in town tonight so…”
“You knew about her?” Saylor eyed me suspiciously. “How do you know her name?”
“Because I’m fucking psychic, obviously,” I deadpanned. “He told me.”
“When? You two can barely have a conversation without arguing.”
“I didn’t say we weren’t arguing.”
“Jesus, I was talking to Kinsley about her yesterday, and Tori was there.” Colton’s lie was swift and plausible. “Does that answer your question, Sherlock?”
“Miss Marple is preferred. Sherlock Holmes was a cocaine addict,” Saylor said without batting