Mr. Imperfect

chapter 36



Rori “liked” his picture. That meant she’d seen it, but she hadn’t used the opportunity to leave a comment or call him back. Why should she? She had her damn matchmaker.

There was no playbook for this—especially when a guy was in the middle of the desert and more than a hundred miles from the nearest gas station. He was just a lone guy out in the middle of the desert. It was like a metaphor.

It was tempting to call his sister and ask her thoughts, but that just felt desperate. Besides, it was late. She and Luke were probably… baking… or something.

Great. Just great. Mike was striking out while Luke was scoring… with Mike’s little sister. Maybe it was best that Mike was in the middle of the desert. No one could hear him scream.

Just then his phone chimed with a Facebook message.

“Yesss!” he breathed, pulling the message up. Rori had followed up! She’d—

Mike looked at the message and blinked.

I see she’s FB stalking u. Have u grown some balls and f*cked her yet?

Definitely not Rori. He knew it was Sydney before looking up and seeing her name.

To answer, or not to answer?

What the hell?

Not yet, he typed. She’s in New York.

Pansy ass, she typed back. U no wut I do when I want sumthing in a different state? I get on a f*cking plane n go get it.

Yes, she most definitely did. Mike couldn’t argue that point. She’s making it very clear that she’s going with a matchmaker and she’s not interested in me.

Men r dumb, she typed back.

Thanks, he replied. And fyi, I am flying out to video her show in September.

N 2 f*ck her?

“Well, yeah,” Mike said, but didn’t type it. I’m staying a few extra nights after the event.

Good boy.

I figure I should keep things as they are through her event, and then when that’s over we can see what’s what.

Wut’s wut? That doesn’t sound like a plan. U’d better no exactly wut’s wut before u go. I thot a hot guy would no that.

The woman sure knew how to deflate a guy.

Wutever. I c ur still a hot mess. Send up a flare when u finally get laid. Gotta go.

Then she was gone, although a moment later she commented on his photo: Total CGI. The milky way is never that bright. Faker.

Sydney Barnes. If ever there was a woman more unfathomable than Rori Townsend, it had to be Sydney. But some other man would have to take on the dubious honor of figuring Sydney out. Because more than ever Mike was focused on September, and figuring out the what’s what of it all.