Mona, What Do I Do?
Sitting in Mona’s apartment the next night, I stretch my hamstrings. I’m beyond sore—a good sore—but still sore. And if I thought I was confused after Decker’s confession, I had no idea how much worse it would be after sleeping with Ken.
“What’s wrong? Why do you keep doing that?” Mona asks, handing me a glass of white wine.
“I’m sore. And yes, it’s what you think it’s from.”
“Decker?”
“Ken.”
“Oh!”
I sink onto the couch with a pout. “I don’t know what to do. I have three guys interested in me, and they’re all great in their own ways. I don’t know who to pick.”
“Do you have to pick just one?”
Decker won’t touch me until I’m seeing no one but him. Ken made it clear without saying it that he’s not interested in being one of multiple. And being with Tyler while sleeping with other men just sounds like an even bigger recipe for disaster than our potential relationship already is.
“Yes.”
“Okay, let’s talk them out. Pros and cons. Start with the coffee shop guy.”
“Well, Ken owns coffee shops. I love coffee. He has great stamina. And he makes coffee in bed in the mornings.”
Her brows lift. “Stamina as in…?”
“Yes. The sex was good.”
“Just good?”
“We’re still getting to know each other,” I lie.
And just like Mona, she knows I’m lying. Thankfully, she seems to understand I don’t want to go further into it. “Okay. Cons?”
“He’s a little… selfish in that department. He’s more into what he likes than what I do, but it’s still good. And I don’t fully feel comfortable with him. Yet. I get the feeling he’s not a fan of my oversharing tendencies.”
“That could be early day awkwardness, but if you don’t feel comfortable around him being yourself, he’s not the one for you.”
Nodding, I sigh. It’s exactly what I’m thinking. “Yeah, I know.”
“And Tyler?”
“He’s cute and sweet. But he’s my boss. I like my job. I like him as my manager. Dating him would change that. Either I’d move to another team—which means we aren’t working together—or he’d move. And who knows who we’d report to.”
“What about the sex?”
I wince. “It wasn’t the best. But it was also in the backseat of his Porsche and hurried because we were in public. He did great with his hands in the bar, though.”
“Maybe screw him in his office to see if it gets better.”
I laugh. “How about not? I also worry that if we did date, people would see me as sleeping my way to the top. I don’t want that reputation.”
“Fair. Now… Decker. Where do we sit with him?”
I stare into my wine. He’s the one who creates so much conflict in my head and my heart.
“I’ve loved him since I was twelve. He’s great in bed, but I know how many women he’s had. He’s never really had a girlfriend before, and I don’t know if he’s really looking for something serious.”
“Maybe he just thought you weren’t interested in him. You saw him with girl after girl after—”
“Yeah, I remember. I was there. Which makes it worse. It feels like it was nothing but a game. Do I really want to be with a man who plays games?”
Sipping her wine, she nods at me. “Great in bed, but he’s a classic flirt. You’ve known him since you were teens, but that can cut both ways.”
“So helpful. Is this what you do at work, too? State the obvious?”
She slaps my leg. “I’m trying to be helpful, brat. But we’re not solving this tonight. Let’s distract you instead.”
I narrow my eyes at her. Mona’s ideas tend to be dangerous. “How?”
Grabbing my phone, she smirks as she scrolls through. I know she won’t send random texts out, but I see the evil look in her eyes.
“We’re going to schedule you some dates. In weird categories. Gotta get you the full experience since you’re dumping this app soon.”
My stomach drops. “What’s ‘weird’ to you?”
Grinning, she clicks. “Yes! Vampire!”
“You’re not—”
“Done. I messaged Enoch.”
“You did what?”
I try to grab my phone back, but she holds it out of reach. If there’s anything I know about Mona, it’s that she’s not going to back down. And she can kick my ass if I really push too far.
“He’s free tonight. Go fix your makeup. I’ll find more.”
It’s kind of an interesting idea. “Fine. But if I’m going on these dates, so are you.”
“Done. Ooh—Fated Mates, Celebrity… and definitely someone into BDSM. For science.”
Standing up, I walk into her bathroom. “Great.”
At the bar, Mona claims a seat at the rail while I scan for Enoch. I didn’t see his profile picture, but one glance tells me it’s him: pale face, slicked back hair, and something sparkling under the dim lights.
I walk up, and I smell something. Strawberry and vanilla. Oh my God. He’s wearing stripper glitter!
He smiles, flashing plastic Halloween fangs. “Thank you for agreeing to meet after dark. I have a… sun allergy.”
The words come out garbled thanks to the fake implement in his mouth, but I do have to give him points for commitment. Sun allergy. Original.
“Is Enoch your real name?” I ask, sitting down.
“It’s the only name I should have been given. My birth name is ridiculous.”
Yep, because Enoch is so normal.
The server approaches, her smile faltering when she gets a good look at my date. “What can I get you?”
Enoch mumbles, his teeth threatening to fall out. I have no idea what he’s trying to say.
She leans in, her ear tilted towards him. “Excuse me?”
“I’ll have a… bloooooooody—”
“What?”
“I think he wants a Bloody Mary,” I say. He nods sharply, and I hold back the groan at how unoriginal he is. “And I’m fine for now.”
Her look says Sure, if you say so, but she leaves.
Enoch’s makeup is so thick his eyes look sunken. All he needs is a cape and a broach to complete the Dracula cosplay.
“You’re not drinking?” he asks.
“Still deciding.”
The drink arrives, and Enoch pulls a flask out of his pocket. He pours something thick and dark into his glass.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he says. “I like a little extra sauce.”
“…Sauce?”
“Blood.”
My stomach turns as I watch him stir his drink, the color turning darker. “Wait—that’s real?”
“I work at a blood bank. Easy access.”
That’s it. “Yeah, I’m calling it a night.”
“Why?”
“I couldn’t explain it if I tried. Good luck with… this. I hope you find someone who finds you endearing instead of disgusting.”
“Disgusting?”
“Real blood?”
He scoffs, turning his nose up at me. “I’m a real vampire.”
“That’s not a real thing,” I hiss and stand. “Besides, vampires don’t wear stripper glitter. Stop binge-reading Twilight fanfiction.”
I hurry over to Mona, signaling to the server. “Vodka soda—heavy on the vodka.”
“What happened?” Mona asks, grinning. “He looks pissed.”
“He seems to really believe he’s a vampire. And poured real blood into his Bloody Mary.”
“No way.”
“He works at a blood bank.”
Mona bursts into a fit of laughter, and I want to slap her.
“He’s wearing glitter!” I say. “Claims to have a sun allergy. I hate you so much right now.”
The laughter continues until she’s holding her side and crying. “If I didn’t see him myself, I’d think you were lying. Oh my God, this is great.”
“And you’ve scheduled more dates for me. I can’t decide if dragging you along or not will make you suffer more.”
“Ouch! My sides hurt! They hurt!”
I push her, knocking her off the stool, and she holds herself on the floor, still laughing.
“I hate you,” I mutter, downing the drink the server sets in front of me. “I hope someone steps on you.”
“You love me.”
“Bite me.”
Pulling my arm, she uses me to help her stand. “I think that’s Enoch’s line.”
I just glare at her, hoping she bursts into flames right here. She was right about one thing, though: it did distract me.