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“Ah damn and there i was thinking maybe you wanted my phone number.” She pouted.

“I mean, if you wanted to give me your number, I wouldn’t be against it,” he smiled. “Would that fix your pout?”

“Since high school.” She folded her arms, still moody even when he nudged her. “Then don’t you get judgey. Why would i think you’re a bad guy cause you date girls? That makes zero sense. You’re my friend. If i can’t say these things who can?” 

He nudged her once more, determined to make her smile. “I guess how you see me matters more to me than anything else. I didn’t say it made sense.” He gave a little laugh. “Fair point, you are my friend.”

Emma refused to look at him, insisting on staying moody at him for a moment. “I don’t think badly of you. You’re you. You’ve always dated, well… since it was legal.” She shrugged. “You know it’s not me. We are allowed to be different people despite the weird amount of time we spend together.”

Holden nudged her arm, knowing she wasn’t looking at him on purpose. “Thank you then. Since high school. Nothing creepy,” he laughed a little. “I know and I accept you. Sorry, I just don’t want you to think I’m a bad guy. I like we’re different. It works.”

“Once again, i literally didn’t say it was a bad thing. I said you’d dated. There’s nothing wrong with that. You’re being a dick to me for no reason.” She scooted forward on the sofa. Slamming her notebook down. “If you’re touchy about something, that sounds like your problem. I’m sorry for mentioning it. But i didn’t say anything other then you’ve dated multiple girls which is different to me. You’re the one who called me judgey. I’m not apologising for all of things you just said i said that i didn’t.” 

Holden bit his lip and nodded. “Sorry. Sorry.” He sighed, scooting so he could look at her. “I just... I don’t want you to think badly of me. Is that bad? I guess, I care how you see me,” he admitted. 

Emma tapped her pen, openly annoyed at hoe the guy was speaking. “Fine, we don’t have to talk about it like ever again. I’m sorry for saying anything. Jeez. No need to be touchy about it.” 

“Well, no need to be so judgey about it. I’m 28 years old. I have dated, I have been in relationships. I’m loyal. I’ve never cheated, I try to be a good boyfriend. I’m not a serial dater, I’m a normal person who’s not found the right person yet.” He sighed. “Okay?”

Emma held her hands up. “I don’t know, because i’m not attacking you. I made an observation that you date. And that is different to how i date. I didn’t say anything was bad you’re the one going off it.”

He nodded. “Okay. Well, let’s not make observations about each other like that again. It just made me feel bad.”

Emma furrowed her brows. “Ok grumpy. I’m sorry i spoke. What’s wrong with waiting five years?”

“What’s wrong with not? I have a relationship it doesn’t work out. If I meet someone else, take a chance.” He sighed, closing his book. “And I’m not even dating now. I haven’t in a while. And why am I even defending myself?”

“And the rest.” She rested her head back on the pillow. “I didn’t say you didn’t, i just said you’ve had them in a sequence and i never said there was anything wrong with that.”

“Hmm, the rest,” he said, getting himself in a little grump. “You may as well have. What am I supposed to do? Wait five years in between each relationship?”

“Oh so witty and pretty.” She grinned. “Are you a serial dater? I mean you’ve had girlfriends. You’ve dated in a sequence. I think that counts as serial.” 

“That’s what they say about me,” he grinned back at her, though it faded. “I’ve had relationships that I thought meant something” He shifted from her slightly. 

Hazel laughed, rubbing her lips together. She laughed, flicking her hair. “Did that satisfy your male ego?” 

Holden let out a laugh, unable not to show his amusement. “Yes, yes. Very much. Exactly what I was after.” 

“You have so many good ones.” She teased. “I don’t know, i try to stay away from your dating life. It’s how our friendship survives.”

“I can’t help, I am a witty man,” he laughed, raising a brow at her. “So you think I’m a serial dater?” 

“That really could be miss interpreted.” She nudged him with her knee. “It just means you know it can be more casual and there’s less judgement, i bring a guy home and my mum wants to know when the wedding is.” 

“I think that was my point,” he laughed. “Really? Have you met my gran? And do you really think I’m a casual guy?”

“Look at me, of course i am.” She smiled, folding her arms and letting out a yawn. “Yeah and you’re a guy, dating is definitely different for you.”

“I mean, you own me,” he laughed, yawning when she did. “What does that mean?” he asked, abused by that.

“I just said that. Please don’t question me.” She laughed to herself, folding her arms. “I don’t know if i do. I mean… i like guys. I just am happy alone too.”

“Oh, so you’re the authority figure,” he laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, I am content with my life. It’s the people in it, the things you do.”

“That makes me feel special.” She put her hand over her heart, nursing her drink as she spoke. “You’re an attractive guy , would you like me to pretend to laugh?”

“It should that was my intention,” he grinned, his eyes glancing her for a moment when she called him attractive. “Thank you, I think you’re a beautiful girl. So yes, it would boost my ego if you laughed.”

“Your dog might be my soul mate.” She couldn’t help but fall hysterical, he had no idea. “I’ll take it. Seriously. Do you believe in that? The one?”

“Did you really just say that?” he laughed, pushing her arm so gently. “Uh,” he started, looking at her. “I don’t know really. I mean, who doesn’t want to?”

Emma just laughed more when he spoke. “I told you, it’s my calling in life. Emma of the dogs.” She held her side. “Maybe that’s a sign you date the wrong girls.”

“I really can’t argue. My dogs love you,” he laughed. “I’ll get that on a t-shirt for you.” He nudged her. “I guess I haven’t found the right one.”