Page 52 of Just for the Plot

“He’s home. Okay, well, I’ll get changed and then have him help me.”

“Perfect. And hey.” I pause what I’m doing and look at her because she’s using her serious tone.

“Yes?”

“I want you to have fun tonight, but please make smart decisions, okay? This guy…from what I’ve seen online, he seems like he knows how to play the game, and I don’t want you to just…fall into his bed.”

“Like you fell into Ryland’s?” I ask with a smirk.

“Ryland was different and the circumstances were different. He wasn’t a player. He was celibate and hadn’t had sex for ten years—”

“That is not fucking true,” Ryland says off camera, making us both laugh.

“It seems like Cougar can have a new girl every night, and I just don’t want you to, you know, give away the goods so easily. If you’re really looking for love, for a partner in life, then maybe just…close up shop for a bit. Make sure he’s a good one before you give away the bacon.”

“Are you referring to my lady parts as bacon?”

“No,” she says just as Ryland says, “Yes.”

She glances over her shoulder and whispers, “Stay out of this.”

When she turns back toward me, I say, “I understand the point you’re trying to make, and I know this might surprise you, but I made a promise with myself to not sleep with the guy for at least five dates, because if he can take me on five dates and not try to get in my pants, then he very well might be serious.”

“I think that’s a really good idea, actually.”

“Thank you. Came up with it myself.”

“Well, you’re smart. I approve.”

“Good, now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to get dressed and then go out on my date.”

“Have fun. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I wave bye and then hang up. I hold the green dress up in front of me and nod.

Yup, it’s going to be a good night.

Come on, Bennett, open up.

Open up.

After a few seconds of waiting, I raise my fist to knock again just as Bennett opens the door, holding his book in one hand, looking all types of disheveled as if he’s been running his hand through his hair.

I love it when he’s not wearing a baseball cap, because his hair is always a disaster in this cutedidn’t styleway.

“Oh, hey, sorry. I didn’t know it was you. Aren’t you supposed to be—” His eyes scan me up and down and I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs. “Whoa, Bower, you look incredible.”

“Thank you. You don’t think the dress is too slutty, do you?”

“Uh…no.”

“Good.” I turn around and lift up my hair. “Do you think you can help a girl out and zip me up? I have to grab a ride and don’t want my driver thinking they’re picking up a half-naked woman.”

“Um, sure,” he says before setting his book down on the console next to his door. He steps up behind me and grabs the small zipper, slowly pulling it up my back. “Isn’t Cougar picking you up?”

“No, I didn’t want him to know where I lived in case he turned out to be a psycho.”