We mull over this information for a moment as we make sluggish progress. Then I press him again. “Tell me about your pamphlets. At this rate we’ll make it to Terry’s by tomorrow, so you have about sixteen hours to get through the story. That’s four hours more than the average audiobook, so I think you’ll be able to squeeze it in.”

He glances down at me. I feel it rather than see it.

“You’re going to laugh at me.”

I raise my eyebrows. Holy hell, that hurts. I stumble, and he tightens his grip, pulling me upward against him.

I seethe out a breath. “Yeah, probably. Tell me the story.”

It takes Zarar thirty seconds to muster his courage, but he does.

“Last year I got out of my second dating app relationship. It didn’t work out, but during that time, it was so boring to respond we met on Tunder to any and everyone who asked how we met. I really want a story for my grandkids. And out here we’re off the grid, so I figured it would be the ideal time to go for it.”

It’s easier than usual not to mock him because, well, my head really hurts.

“I really want to meet someone in … a meet-cute way. Like people used to do before the internet.”

I clear my throat. One foot. Next foot. “Are you telling me that you running into women with pamphlets has been some desperate attempt to orchestrate a meet-cute with someone hopefully willing to go out with you? Is that the fun story you’re looking for?”

“When you say it like that, it sounds … bad. Everyone reacts differently. It’s not like I’m orchestrating conversations.”

I shake my head. “That is the absolute dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Stop doing it.”

“It’s not that dumb.”

“It is,” I huff. “Meet-cutes have to happen naturally—that’s why they’re cute.” I crane my head to look up at him. It hurts, but he’s got a good face, so it’s worth it. “Have any of these women even come off the slightest bit receptive?”

“No.” He exhales a contemplative breath. “But it’s a way to not be awkward during first conversations because you’re too focused on the fallen stuff. Things just flow naturally, and when you think about it, it’s not so different from swiping right.”

“It is so different from swiping right. When you swipe right, you only match if the lass swipes right as well.”

He tilts his head. “I guess you’re right.”

“I know I’m right.” I poke gently at his shoulder.

“Would you go out with me?” Zarar asks quietly.

A laugh racks through me. I glance back up at his sweet open face. “No.”

He pouts for a moment. “Could you not laugh?”

“No.”