“You’re distrusting of my attention because you don’t really believe I would be interested.”

“That is the most self-centered bullshit I’ve ever heard. Have you ever considered that I’m not distrusting of your attention but annoyed?”

“I may annoy you, but you still want me.”

She shook her head and stared at me with a curious expression. “It’s a wonder you aren’t bursting, Dash Chambers.”

“Go out with me tonight.”

“What?”

“Go out. With me. Tonight.”

“I heard you. I just don’t understand you. Why would I go out with you?”

“Do you have anything else better to do?”

I could see on her face that she didn’t. It’d been a week since our first encounter, and I knew for a fact that all she’d done was attend classes and seminars. This was the first time I’d even seen her eating in public.

“I’m not going out with you.”

“I’m not asking you to run away with me and elope.” Smooth, man. Real smooth. Her smart mouth made it hard to remember that I was supposed to be charming. Then again, I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy our interactions.

I was also treading on foreign territory. She was different from the girls I was used to. None of them would have hesitated to fuck me the first day. This was my first time giving chase and the part of me I didn’t realize existed liked it a little too much.

“Then you shouldn’t have a problem understanding the word ‘no.’” She stood to her feet with her uneaten salad. “Find someone else.”

I watched her walk away, turning heads as she moved. Her wild hair attracted enough attention, but the highlighter green, Girl Scout vest, and white skirt made of what looked like bird feathers, and her purple combat boots ensured everyone took notice. I wanted to break the fingers that pointed at her outrageous getup. I knew she noticed, but she held her head high as she crossed the yard and bypassed the lunch tables. Her curves were on display, and I admitted they pleased me more than I thought they would. I hadn’t been able to get them out of my mind in the week since I made her blush, and I would give anything to be able to explore them.

I had the entire summer to make her fall for me and mistakenly thought getting her would be easy. I couldn’t even get her to like me.

My phone vibrated in my jeans with a call from Keenan.

“Dude, how’s it coming?”

“This chick is a block of ice,” I grumbled.

“With all that red hair?” he asked, voicing my thoughts. “I thought redheads were the biggest freaks.”

“Where did you get that from?”

“I don’t know. Porn, maybe.”

“She’s not like other chicks, period.”

“Gasp!” he yelled dramatically. “It sounds like you like her.”

“I’ve talked to her twice, and she’s skinned me alive both times.”

“Not the Almighty Dash, Charmer of Maidens and Reigning Champ for Melting Panties. “ He cackled into the phone. “So, you met your match.”

“She’s not my match. She’s insecure as hell.”

“So then do what you do best and make her feel secure. You’re women’s worst enemy, but you make them think you’re their best friend.”

“I thought girls liked me because of my tight abs and pretty face.”

“That, too.”

“I don’t know, man. I don’t feel right about this.”

“Bullshit. You’re just off your game. What did you say to her?”

I ran it down and by the end, Keenan was laughing out of control. “Dude. What is up with you? What happened to your tenderness? I’ve seen you talk to vipers better than you talked to her.”

“My tenderness?”

“It’s easy. You just got to squeeze her. Don’t tease her to get her to make love. Just try it. Try a little tenderness.” The next moment he busted into a shitty rendition of Otis Redding’s, Try A Little Tenderness.

I hated to admit it, but he might have been right. It was odd for someone who went through more women in a month than I did since losing my virginity two years ago.

It was clear I wasn’t going to win her over with my name only, but I did know she was attracted to me. I also had the feeling she was innocent. She unknowingly gave away signs that she was interested even when her lips were telling me to fuck off.

I hung up on Keenan during the chorus and began planning my date night with a vicious redhead.