“Well, first of all she’s gorgeous and—”“You’re gorgeous,” he says softly.My stomach flips over, but I continue. “And she flirts very openly with you.”“I wish you would flirt very openly with me.”

“Is that what this is about? You think I'm sleeping with Taryn?""Of course I do! I'm sure it's no secret !""Why do you say that?""Well, first of all she's gorgeous and--""You're gorgeous.""And she flirts very openly with you.""I wish you'd flirt very openly with me.”

“Then why are you flirting with me?”“I can’t seem to help myself.” -Nash”

“I’ve only ever looked at Marissa and seen an elegant, statuesque, gorgeous woman. But this morning, I find myself wishing she was a cute, rumpled, fiery brunette instead.Shit! That’s not good!”

“Thank you for this. You’re a very talented agent of deassholization.”“Oh, this isn’t my method of choice. Trust me. But if it makes you happy then I’m okay with it.”She looks away shyly, but her eyes come back to mine, unable to resist the magnetism that’s between us. “Well, it makes me very happy.”

“How did you get my number anyway?”“Some asshole named Nash.”“Asshole?”“Yeah, asshole. Don’t tell me you don’t think he’s an asshole!”I laugh uncomfortably. “Um, no I don’t think he’s an asshole. He’s always been nice to me.”asshole. He’s always been nice to me.”“Of course he has. You’re gorgeous. What man wouldn’t be nice to you?”“Plenty.”“Assholes, all of them,” he teases.“They’re assholes, too?”“Yep.”“Is everyone an asshole today?”“Yep,” he repeats. “Word of the day toilet paper.”I laugh, genuinely this time. “Is that right?”

“Dude, now you’re flirting?Even to my own ears, my comment sounds suggestive. The sad thing is, it was meant that way. There are literally a dozen things I’d love for her to do for me. Or to me. Or let me do to her. -Nash”