Penn: Yes, exactly. This gives Ryot the leverage he needs.

Nola: You three are morons.

Banner: Don’t you mean . . . geniuses?

Nola: No, I meant morons.

Ryot: Either way, I’m going to need your help, Nola. Are you in?

Nola: God, I hate you . . .

Penn: I think that’s a yes!

Banner: Totally a yes.

Chapter Eight

RYOT

Seven years ago . . .

“Are you sure she’s going to be here?” I ask Banner as I glance around the intimate baking class.

Yes, baking class.

Can you guess whose idea this was?

Banner’s, that’s who.

Since seeing Myla at the trivia night, I’ve been talking to her on Instagram, you know, like the start of every healthy relationship. And even though I’ve hinted toward taking her out—that’s when she responds—she hasn’t taken the bait. Because I’m a desperate man who apparently has no self-respect, I asked for Banner’s help.

He contacted Nichole through Instagram—remember, healthy adults over here—and asked to meet up with her for coffee. That’s when the planning happened. Apparently, Myla has been on a mission to try new things and attending a baking class is one of them.

The plan is for Myla and Nichole to come and then for Nichole and Banner to bail at the last minute—aka, go have sex somewhere—leaving me alone in the class with Myla.

See how that works?

Lame, but hey, I’ll take what I can get.

“Yes, they’ll be here. Now just chill, dude. You’re starting to get sweaty.”

“I’m not sweaty.”

“I can see the beads of sweat on your upper lip.”

“I’m not sweating,” I say and then pick up a napkin and dab my upper lip, causing Banner to laugh.

“Oh, well, hello there,” I hear a familiar voice say. “I didn’t know you two were into baking.”

Nichole. Right on time.

I turn around to find a smiling Nichole and a frowning Myla. Just as I suspected, she’s not thrilled to see me. But hey, we can change that with some flirting.

“Wow, what are the odds?” Banner asks, his acting skills pure shit. “Never in a million years would I have imagined seeing you here.”

Way to keep it chill, bro.

“Yeah, this is so unexpected.” Nichole sighs and looks at her watch. “Gee, I can’t believe I forgot about that thing I have to do. Right when we get here, too.”

“Oh shit, I have a thing too.” Banner pats my chest. “Sorry, bro, I have to bail, but hey, looks like Myla might need a partner.”

Myla folds her arms at her chest. “Would you look at how that worked out? And so quickly too.”

Yeah, they could have at least waited a minute before ditching us.

“Perfect if you ask me,” Nichole says. “Okay, well, this has been fun. Looks like class is about to start, so we’re just going to get out of your hair. You two have fun.” Nichole presses a quick kiss on Myla’s cheek. “Love you. Be nice.”