The Matchmaker's Playbook (Wingmen Inc., #1)(69)

Vivian nodded, even crossed her arms.

After five minutes, I turned to her. “Sorry for embarrassing you.”

She shrugged a shoulder, then smiled to herself. “He told me to meet him when he gets off work. Said he cheated on his girlfriend in high school and knows how bad it sucks to feel guilty for something that’s entirely your fault.”

“Hmm . . . interesting. That wasn’t in his folder, which basically means I’m more brilliant than I originally realized.”

She scooted closer to me.

“No, no.” I laughed and created more distance. “From here on out, we’re chilly, distant. Still semitogether but . . . only for appearances.”

“Right.” She folded her hands in her lap. “So do I meet him?”

“Sure. Bitch and complain, tell him it’s not true, because it isn’t, but say I refuse to believe you because I have trust issues. Tell him it’s most likely over, which really frustrates you, since I was the best sex you’ve ever had.”

“What?” She blushed bright red. “I can’t say that.”

“We did things backwards.” I shrugged. “Usually I make them jealous first, then they offer a shoulder to cry on when things go to hell. But we’re switching things up. Tell him you’re upset because you’re going to miss me in your bed. Say I was incredible. Say at night, you scream my name, only to wake up alone.”

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.” She started rocking back and forth, her eyes darting between me and the grass, cheeks still flushed. “I can’t . . . say those things.”

“You can.” I checked my phone. “You will. And once that’s over with, you leave, tell him you’re exhausted, haven’t been sleeping well. He’ll want your number. Give it to him. He’ll text you good night. Don’t text him back until about three a.m. He’ll text you back, believe me. And when he does and asks why you were up, say you’re restless.”

I scrolled through John’s background. They had around an 80 percent chance for a good match. That is, if he stopped pissing around during class and actually finished his homework and turned it in on time. Vivian studied a ton.

“You have any tests coming up?”

“Yeah, in bio.”

“Great. He’s in bio, right?”

Another nod.

“Tell him that the only thing taking your mind off everything is studying . . . He’ll offer to come over and study with you. Give it a day, then let him. Text me the minute he comes in the house, and I’ll text you during the study session so that you seem distracted. Laugh at some of my texts, and then sigh and slam your book shut. He’ll tell you that you deserve better and ask if you’ve ever considered being with anyone else. And this is where it’s very important that you listen to my every damn word.”

“I feel like this is happening really fast.” Her breathing picked up speed, like she was ready to pass out.

Oh, good, another hyperventilater. I didn’t have time for this shit today. Blake would be getting out of volleyball soon, and I had plans for that mouth, those legs—well, every single part of her.

“You want him, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good, so tell him you’ve never been with anyone else. Tell him you’ve only kissed . . . ?” I waited for her answer.

“Two guys,” she nodded her head confidently.

Good, she was getting the hang of it.

“Great,” I said. “The first was in high school?” I was guessing.

A nod and then a shrug. “Well, we both were in high school. I haven’t dated much since coming to college.”

“Sorry.”

“Overprotective parents,” she huffed. “They control everything. It’s just easier sometimes to lie down and let them.”

“You’ve moved out, so now you’re good, right?”

“Yes.” She beamed. “Okay, two guys, and then what? How do I know if I’m any good at kissing? What if I’m not good enough?”

The girl had a point.

I held up a finger. “Hold that thought.”

Gripping my cell with my hand, I dialed Lex’s number. He answered on the first ring. “Tell me you’re walking by the fountain in a few seconds.”

“I see you right now.”

“Need you.”

“Great.”

He hung up.

Vivian frowned as Lex made his way around the fountain and stalked toward us. I loved watching girls’ reaction to him. He was built like a football player but had the brain of . . . I don’t know, an evil genius? It was almost like he knew exactly what chemicals were firing off in their hormonal little bodies when he smiled in their direction, and knew just the amount of pressure to add to each kiss to cause an explosion.

Right. In the past, I’d had times where I wanted to kill him and dissect his freaky little brain. Now it was just interesting to watch.

“You called?” He shoved his hands into his pockets.

I gave a nonchalant nod toward Vivian. “She needs to know how to hook a guy with the gentle kiss.”

“Right on.” He set his bag down. “We doing this here?”

I glanced around. “Yeah, but maybe stand back more by the trees so John doesn’t see.”