The Pact

Mara's POV

"That's it. I'm done with dating."

I threw back the last of my wine and slumped against my couch cushions. Across from me, Ethan stretched his long legs out, his tie loosened and his shirt sleeves rolled up. We'd both just survived the world's most painful double date.

"Agreed," he said, running a hand through his dark hair. "If I have to sit through one more dinner where someone talks *at* me instead of *to* me..."

"Or pretend to laugh at jokes that aren't funny?"

"Or have mediocre sex that ends the second *they* come?"

I snorted. "God, yes. Why is that always the pattern? They...