Determined to make a point, Layla transferred her attention to him. “How old are you, Garrett?”
“Thirty-six.”
“Okay, so a little older. And have you ever met someone online?”
“Once.”
“And?”
He grunted. “And what?”
“Did you at least get laid?”
“Jesus, Layla, don’t ask him that.” I did not need the mental image of Garrett’s body sexing some other chick. Wait, other? No, any. Any chick.
She shrugged. She and I had never viewed sex the same way. She saw it as a simple activity for mutual pleasure that anyone could, and should, participate in whenever they wanted. I saw it as something personal. I’d never had a one-night stand. In fact, I’d only ever slept with two men, and both had been serious relationships.
“I’m just saying, it’s a win-win for you. Maybe you meet the man of your dreams, maybe not. But you could at least get a good night out of it. Lord knows your strung-out ass needs it.”
I glared at her, slapping the towel back onto the counter and reaching for the last pot. “Hard pass.”
She groaned. “Your soulmate could be waiting for you right now, and you don’t even know it.”
That had me bursting out laughing. “No man is waiting for this hot mess express. My baggage has baggage. I got suitcases and carry-ons, backpacks and purses. The entire fucking plane is full. If a man attempted to board, we’d plummet from the sky.”
She flung her hands forward, fingers spread wide, enunciating each of her words, “That’s why online dating is perfect for you. Put it up front that you have a kid and work a lot. Only the guys who are accepting of all that will message you.”
“Plus, the ones who want to take me out with the intention of slipping me a roofie.” I forced a laugh that didn’t quite match my eyes, but Layla didn’t accept the white flag I was clearly waving. She knew I was trying to brush off the conversation, and she’d decided she wasn’t playing anymore.
“You can’t be scared of men forever.”
Aware of Garrett’s vision burning a hole in the side of my head, I turned to face her fully. “I’m not scared of men, Layla. I’m just not interested in dating. I’m stretched thin as it is.”
“It’s been years, Mads. We’re social creatures, we’re not meant to be alone.”
“I’m not alone,” I said, but it came out snappy and defensive. Smoothing my voice back out, I said, “I’m happy with how things are.”
She shook her head, backing out of the kitchen. “No, Mads, you’re not. You’ve just decided it’s easier to let him win.” She raised her hand in farewell to Garrett, turning toward the hallway. “I’m going to steal your shower since Jamie’s in this one. Goodnight, Garrett.”
I watched her disappear into her bedroom, Sadie at her heels. The house was suddenly too quiet, the only sound being Jamie’s shower. My eyes stung, and I didn’t know what to do with my face.
Layla was brutal and honest, and she could be a real bitch, but she was rarely ever wrong about me. I loved the hell out of her, but sometimes I hated how see-through I was to her.
“I’m going to step out for a smoke before I head home. Come out, you look like you could use some air.”
I cut my eyes to Garrett, taking in the lines of his face and letting him do the same to me. I wasn’t sure how he knew, but that was exactly what I needed. “Sure. Give me a second to go let Jamie know where I’ll be.”
He could have gone ahead and stepped out, but he didn’t. He waited for me, pack in one hand, hoodie in the other. Opening the door, he stepped to the side, letting me pass.