I sigh and paste on a smile. It was nice while it lasted. “Really? It wasn’t awkward?”
“It’s only awkward if you make it awkward.”
I slowly nod, trying to understand. “How do I not make it awkward?”
“Keep the conversation light and fun.”
“What if I don’t know what to say?”
“Sometimes letting the other person break the ice first is easier.”
“And what if no one wants to talk to me?”
He sends me a dubious stare. “Half the guys here haven’t taken their eyes off you since we arrived.”
“But just say that no one does…”
“Then pursue someone you want. If the guy is too reticent to approach you, you can either say something to him or move on. Regardless, don’t be afraid to get creative.”
I grimace. “I don’t know if I can do that.”
A man approaching me is one thing, but for me to approach him is a whole other challenge—one I’m not convinced I have the courage for.
“Go at your own pace. What matters is that you have control over what happens. At the end of the day, it’s your choice whether you want to sleep with a guy or not.”
“What if someone approaches me, but I’m not interested?”
“End the conversation.” He shrugs.
I know what it’s like to be rejected, to try talking to someone when the attraction is one-sided. I hate that feeling. Why should I do the same to someone else?
“Won’t that hurt his feelings?”
“Not if you’re polite but firm. Your rejection may bruise his ego for a moment, but he’ll move on because there are tons of fish in the sea. Besides, this is about your needs.”
“I just don’t want to disappoint anyone.”
He raises a brow at me. “Would you really spend the night with someone you weren’t interested in to preserve their fragile ego?”
“Of course not.”
“Then there’s your answer.”
My thoughts whirl. “So I just focus on me?”
“Yep. Your feelings, your desires, your everything.”
“Okay.”
“Good. Now you try to pick me up.”
Even the thought has my anxiety rising. My grip on my drink tightens. Nerves grip my throat until it threatens to close up. Am I ready for this?
He must notice my hesitation because he sends me a reassuring smile. “Whatever you did earlier when I started talking to you? Just strike up a conversation the exact same way. Stay calm and remember this is about fun.”
“Right. Fun.”
I take a deep breath and rise from my seat. As I leave the patio and drift into the loft, I wrack my brain for the best line. God, he made striking up an engaging conversation with a total stranger look so easy.