17 DATES

CHAPTER 7: failed dates and rocky friendships

"She is. She's hilarious and really does listen to me. On top of that, she's probably the smartest person I met and she's quite pretty." His eyes closed. "Look, maybe I'll write a song about her, but she isn't the girl."

She was someone who demanded the best for herself and Flynn couldn't fault her for that. She was the best. Maybe in another life, Flynn would fall in love with Lana, but the story wasn't about them. The story was about Flynn and his music.

"Okay, I'll let it go." She handed her empty cup to Flynn. He grabbed it from her, placing it into his own and relaxing back on the bench. He noticed the shake of her hand and the shiver in her shoulders.

"Are you cold?"

Ruby nodded, eyes jumping from his eyes and up to the piece of hair over his forehead. She wasn't ready for him to touch her when his arm settled over her shoulders. Her body erupted in flames in mere seconds. Somehow, his hold on her made her feel like flying. They settled in the silence, minds running over a simple embrace.

Flynn cleared his throat. "The sixth date went well?"

"Bailey Wagner is the hottest guy I've ever had the pleasure of setting my eyes upon. Seriously, how do you even know him?" Ruby shrugged off the awkwardness and relaxed into the heat his body provided. Her head dropped onto his shoulder. He smelled of cigarettes and berries. Flynn pushed his nose into her soft hair, before he pulled himself back.

Bailey Wagner and his slicked back blond hair beat Phoebe in every bowling match they played on their date. His muscles clenched under his white shirt every time he flexed. He pushed his arm back, before he threw the ball and landed a perfect strike. She let out a small goan when her ball landed in the gutter. Her tight short skirt and mesh shirt definitely weren't the right uniform for the activity and the shoes ruined the whole outfit. Even though she looked a bit weird, Bailey told her she looked beautiful with her hair in a ponytail, showing off her long neck.

"Are you serious?"

"What?" She snapped back to the moment by the river with Flynn. He stared at her as if she was mad.

"I'm the hottest guy you know. Bailey doesn't reach past my calves. And my calves are amazing."

"Seriously?" She rolled her eyes, causing Flynn to lick his lower lip. He groaned.

"Fine, he's hot. Is that all you gathered from your date?"

"Yes, he's not that interesting. We didn't have anything to talk about. He barely spoke. I found out he likes playing video games, spends his nights clubbing with his friends and has a really cute dog. I can show you." Ruby reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. She typed in her password, which was her birthday. He quickly diverted his eyes and waited for her to show him her screen.

"Can you show me a photo of your date's dog? What happened to you, Jackson?"

"What? He sent it to me. Look." She pushed the phone into his face. He had to grab her wrist to push it further from his face. It was a fluffy chow chow with a sparkly collar and his tongue out. Behind the dog was Bailey with his hands wrapped around the dog's stomach and a wide smile. His teeth were perfectly white and straight.

"Fine, the dog is cute. Wait, are those his abs? Wait, no. Stop showing this to me. What the hell is happening to you?" He shook his head and pushed her phone away. She looked down and smiled at the photo before she locked her phone and dropped it into her dark purse.

"Bet Molly Gil doesn't have a cute dog." She knocked her shoulder into his, her tone teasing and playful. Molly Gil was his date the day she went out with Bailey.