"No, no, Dylan. I insist," Trey said.
"No. I insist," he answered.
"Maybe we should just leave. We haven't ordered yet," Ari suggested dryly.
"Sorry, Ari. We'll shut up now. I suggested this place, and I'm paying, so let's order and enjoy ourselves," Trey said decisively.
"Trey. . ."Dylan said with exasperation.
Trey gave him a knowing look. "Dylan, please let me, okay?"
Dylan took a deep breath, lips pressed in a tight line. Trey meant to play the ISAG to its fullest. He really must have a private word with him.
*
Ari excused herself to go to the bathroom and Dylan took the opportunity to straighten things out with his meddling pal.
"Trey, there's no need for the ISAG with Ari," he said with a scolding look.
"And why's that?" Trey asked.
"While I do want us to be good friends, I have no intention whatsoever of having a serious relationship with her."
"So why were you holding her hand earlier?"
"She looked like she was having a bad day. That's also why I thought I'd take her out to lunch," he justified.
"How did you know she was having a bad day? Did you talk on the phone or something," Trey prodded.
He sighed. "No. I had to pick up my wallet from her. I left it at her place last night."
"Ah! You've had sex with her. And here you are taking her out to lunch. Which proves my point that she needs to be put through the ISAG," Trey said triumphantly.
"What do you mean?" he scowled.
"Dyl, you usually wait at least two weeks before having any further communication with girls you've had one-night stands with. If they're too keen to communicate, you usually stay the hell away from them. If they're cool with your silence, they become your chums. Wasn't it you who said that that time frame helps them understand you have no other motive apart from friendship? But we're talking one day here with Ari. In fact, not even one day. Half a day," Trey said emphatically.
"I told you I had to get my wallet back from her. Back off, Trey. I mean it. You're making her feel uncomfortable," he said earnestly.
Trey sat back in his chair and stared at him with concern.
"What?" he asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
"You're sounding like Adam," Trey said quietly.
He gasped. "I am not!"
Trey shook his head, astonished. "You are. That's why I have to continue with the ISAG whether you like it or not. That's the promise we made to each other."
"She's not like that!" he said in a half-shout, making a few heads from nearby tables turn their way. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. Damn it, Trey was annoying the hell out of him.
Trey snorted. "I seem to remember Adam having this exact same reaction when you tried to tell him what you thought of Sandy."
"Ari and Jasmine are best buddies. I just want to be good friends with her since we'll probably see a lot of each other in the future," he muttered.
"Then why have you changed your MO with her? If you want to be good friends, shouldn't you be staying away for a while until the afterglow of your one-night stand has well and truly faded?"
He fidgeted in his seat, unable to meet his friend's questioning gaze.
Trey's eyes widened. "You've already had sex with her more than once."
He laughed. That was the funniest comment. Even during his first night with Ari, he'd had sex with her more than once. Several times, in fact.
"Dylan? Is this serious?" Trey asked with a shocked expression.
"Don't be ridiculous," he scoffed. "We're just...friends with benefits."
"And how are you going to make that work exactly?"
"Ari's different. She knows where I stand."
Trey shook his head in resignation. "You've lost the plot."
"Don't be so dramatic."
"Now you can't expect Adam to listen to you when you're just as bad as him."
"Ari is different from Sandy," he said in a miffed tone.
"Yeah, she probably is. It wouldn't hurt to prove that though, would it?" Trey challenged.
"She doesn't deserve that kind of treatment."
"Exactly what Adam says about Sandy. And you know damn well that woman is more interested in Adam's money than anything else, even though Adam's too blind to see it. This is for your own good, Dyl."
He exhaled loudly. "Ari is different."
"Why are you afraid of testing her, then? Scared she won't pass?"
"No. I'm sure she'll pass. There's just no reason to do it. I'm not interested in a relationship."
"But you plan to continue seeing her casually?" Trey asked pointedly.
"Maybe," he lied, knowing full well he did plan to see Ari again.