DrinkWithMe: It shows.

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: I’m just going to act like your compliments don’t faze me at all, even though I’m screaming inside.

DrinkWithMe: Why do I feel like more of the masculine one in this non-relationship?

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: Non-relationship? Is that what we’re calling this?

DrinkWithMe: I think it has a nice ring to it. We’re not friends, really . . . because frankly, if something were to ever occur between you and me, I don’t want to be a friends-to-lovers cliché. And we’re clearly not in a relationship, so . . . non-relationship it is.

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: What’s wrong with friends to lovers? Some of the best love affairs start as friends.

DrinkWithMe: Name one.

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: Uh, I don’t know . . . The Hangover.

DrinkWithMe: LOL! What? How is that friends to lovers?

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: At first, they didn’t like Alan, but after quite the adventure, they loved him. See, friends to lovers.

DrinkWithMe: You need help.

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: Possibly.

* * *

DrinkWithMe: Is this how you’re going to win me over? Gifts?

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: No, I’m going to win you over with my tongue, but we aren’t quite there yet. Gifts are just a way to show you I’m thinking of you while I’m lying . . . all alone . . . in my hotel room. Do you like them?

DrinkWithMe: Probably the most decadent chocolate I’ve ever had in my mouth.

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: Vosges Chocolate is my favorite. Wasn’t sure if you’ve had any since you’ve been in Chicago, but thought I’d give you a glimpse of what the city offers.

DrinkWithMe: The hazelnut almost made me orgasm.

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: Got you throbbing, did I?

DrinkWithMe: You did, which makes me realize that maybe I don’t need a man at all. Maybe I just need Vosges.

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: Now, now, now, that was not the intention here.

DrinkWithMe: Yup, just me and my chocolates, that’s all I need in life. Excuse me, I’m going to go climax now.

Ryot.Bisley.Balls: Well, that didn’t go as planned.

Chapter Nine

MYLA

Present day . . .

“What is that heavenly smell?” I ask as I walk into the kitchen, fresh from a dip in the pool.

Update on the living conditions, in case you were wondering: tense.

That’s the perfect word. It’s been the word of the week, actually.

Just . . . tense.

And yes, I knew that would happen when I set the ground rules, but I’m not the only one shooting off icicles in this house.

Ryot has too.

And he’s worked fast to create a better living environment for himself. A plethora of groceries were delivered this morning—I heard him talking to Banner on the phone about how to order them—he skimmed his side of the pool and put up a pool noodle barrier, and somehow, the man was able to get a TV installed in the pool area in a matter of twenty-four hours. See what money can do for you? He spent all morning watching highlight clips, but the moment I stepped out in my skimpiest bikini, he went back inside. I haven’t seen him since, but then the sweet scent of baked goods beckoned me out of the pool.