I fold my arms. “And yet, did they agree to post about it?”
Jasper rubs his temples. “This is painful to watch.”
I smirk, dusting my hands off like I’ve just successfully negotiated a high-stakes business deal. “Marketing, my friend. You wouldn’t understand.”
Jasper sighs, looking up at the ceiling like he’s praying for patience.
I turn back to the blonde and her friend, still feeling rather pleased with myself.
This is definitely going to work.
4
Sun Salutation
Ivy
The waiter places twoplates in front of us.
“Enjoy,” the peculiar barista shouts from behind the counter, like a man who is completely unaware of how much second-hand embarrassment he just inflicted on himself.
I nod politely. “Thanks.”
Christa, however, has her eyes on him, not the strudel.
The second he turns back to the customer sitting at the end of the counter, she leans in, dropping her voice just enough that only I can hear. “It is an absolute tragedy that you’re on a dating ban.”
I roll my eyes, slicing into the pastry. “Here we go.”
“I mean, honestly,” she continues, completely ignoring me. “What are the odds that an incredibly fit guy opens a coffee shop literally underneath your flat, and you’ve just vowed to spend three months in romantic exile?”
I shake my head. “He’s not my type.”
She stares at me. “He is exactly your type. Tall, dark-haired,adorably dorky—”
“He wiped down the counter five times before we even ordered,” I cut in. “That’s unhinged.”
She smirks. “Maybe he’s just meticulous.”
I shrug, stuffing a bite ofstrudelinto my mouth. The warm apple and cinnamon practically melt on my tongue, and for a brief moment, I forget all about Christa’s smug expression.
But only for a moment.
She watches me chew, unimpressed. “You’re pretending you’re not interested.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Uh-huh.”
I sigh, deciding to change the subject before she gets any more ideas. “Anyway, I have a plan for the next three months. A dating-free plan.”
Christa raises an eyebrow. “Tell me!”
I pull out my phone and open my notes app, showing her the list. “I’ve decided to try new hobbies.”
She squints at the screen, reading aloud. “Yoga. Working with clay, maybe take up knitting, spa-ing… maybe camping.”
She looks back up at me. “I have so many questions.”
