Page 38 of Tongue-Tied

Oh, look at the time. I need my beauty sleep. Night.

I shake my head, more than curious now about his preferences and fantasies. After all, he did buy a dildo after I moved out. Even so, he’s a tough nut to crack, whereas I’m an open book. But maybe that’s why our friendship works.

You dickhead. Night.

16

AUSTIN

“So there’s gonna be a second date?” Kael asks as he microwaves his mac-and-cheese. He gets hungry after dinner sometimes, and he thinks it’s because of the testosterone.

I’m not much better with my snack selection of mostly Twizzlers, peanut M&Ms, and Sour Patch gummies. I used to keep a stash of Milk Duds when Dex lived with me. He would pour them into his popcorn for movie night like an animal.

I smile at the memory, but thankfully, Kael is too busy opening the microwave to see my expression. “Yeah, Dex thinks the last one went well.”

I stuff a bunch of M&Ms in my mouth. It’s my way of not copping to wanting it too.

“Well, you did look on a high afterward.” He stirs the cheese packet into the noodles. “And I’m pretty sure it wasn’t from edibles, not after that last time.”

I laugh hollowly because after Kael offered me one, and I finally accepted, I got loopy and talked his ear off. Or so he says. All I remember is sleeping soundly.

“Only because I was having fun with my best friend.” I try to temper my tone. “But the very next day, I practically spilled coffee on Brandon at work.”

“Eh, maybe he deserved it.”

I hitch a shoulder. “He can’t help that he’s not attracted to me.”

That much is true. Maybe if I had more confidence, I’d rank as a seven out of ten instead of a five or a six—and that’s probably being generous. I might be taller and have a striking hair color, but I fade into the background as soon as my lack of self-assurance comes into play. And the rest of me, for that matter.

“I suppose you have a point.” Kael frowns. “Guess I’m taking Dex’s lead and being protective of my friend.”

I smile. “Well, thanks.”

It certainly doesn’t hurt to have a new friend.

“So where’s this next date?” he asks around a forkful of macaroni.

“The color-coded mixer at Love Shack.”

His eyes light up. “I might go with Angelica.”

“Yeah?” The idea that they might attend helps me relax a little. “You want to head out together?”

“Like a double date? Nah, we’ll meet you there, though.” He smirks. “Wouldn’t want to distract you from your lesson.”

I pass a hand down my face. “Oh my God, that makes it sound worse.”

“Sorry. I was only teasing.” He winces. “The dates will be good for you.”

I nod. “Hey, do you know what the color codes are about?”

He reaches for a paper towel. “No idea, but it should be fun.”

I swallow. “Okay.”

His eyes spring to mine. “Why do you seem unsure?”

“I’m not ready to—I don’t even know.”