Tales of Aradia The Last Witch Volume by L.A. Jones Page A

up both her hands and continued by
saying, "Just hear me out. Don’t play them. Just, get to know each
of them better. Go on separate dates with them, get to know them
individually, and then when you feel ready you can make your
decision."
    Aradia opened her mouth to protest, but then shut it
without speaking after taking in Rhonda's words.
    "I’d have to tell Dax and Roy about this, you know,"
Aradia ventured cautiously
    "Those two seem pretty oblivious. I bet you could get
away with it on the sly for a while."
    “Rhonda!”
    “Fine, fine,” Rhonda said. “Be honest. Whatevs.”
    "Be serious!" Aradia insisted. “This is a big deal
for me. Don't you think they might be uncomfortable with this
plan?"
    "Maybe at first," Rhonda acknowledged. “That’s kind
of like a test, though. This is for you. It’s you being honest and
trying to be happy. If one of them has a problem with that, then
he’s not the right guy for you. Problem solved.”
    “That’s not bad,” Aradia admitted.
    “And who knows!” Rhonda sped up, getting excited by
her brilliant proposal. “They actually might like the competition.
All guys like competition, right? Politics, sports, cars, girls.
They always like an opportunity to outdo each other."
    Aradia just gaped at Rhonda.
    Finally, she asked, "Rhonda, this is a really good
idea. How do you know so much about guys?"
    Rhonda shrugged and said, "I watch a lot of TV."
     
    “I’m not sure how comfortable I am with this idea,
Rai-Rai.”
    “If it’s unacceptable, I understand,” Aradia said.
Roy seemed relieved, until Aradia continued, “I’ve already talked
to Dax, though, and he’s willing to give it a try. If you’re not, I
hope we can still be friends.”
    Roy sputtered defensively, “I didn’t say I couldn’t
give it a try!”
    Aradia didn’t show it, but she found his reaction
very amusing.
    “Good! So, ground rules. First, if you find someone
else you want to date, go for it. I won’t be jealous. Well, maybe I
will. But it’s only fair that you can date other people, and I’ll
try not to act jealous. Second, you two will trade off dates with
me. If either of you can’t make a date, or have to cancel, you just
lose that date. Third, don’t sabotage each other! I know how you
two can be.”
    “Is that all?” Roy asked sarcastically.
    “Probably not,” Aradia replied, either not noticing
or not acknowledging the sarcasm. “But it’s all for now. You’re
good with this?”
    “I don’t have a lot of options,” he grumbled.
    “Look, Roy, I’m uncomfortable too, but I don’t want
to jump into anything too quickly, especially right now, and
especially a relationship. Besides, even if I did just dump Dax and
date you exclusively, you know I’d be wondering what could have
been with him. That would be unfair to all three of us.”
    “I guess I appreciate your honesty,” Roy admitted, “I
don’t like it, but I understand why you came up with this
plan.”
    Aradia shrugged. “It’s Rhonda’s plan, actually."
    “Hmph. So who gets the first date?”
    “I proposed arm wrestling,” Dax said, appearing
suddenly behind Roy, “but Aradia was afraid I’d break your
arm.”
    Roy growled softly. Aradia rolled her eyes at both of
them and corrected Dax, “Actually I said I was afraid you’d break
each others’ arms.”
    “Really?” Dax said with a sly grin. “I must have
forgotten. You know me and my memory.”
    “I’m not surprised you said arm wrestling,” Roy
challenged, “being too much a coward for a real fight.”
    “Please,” Dax replied. “We both know how that would
end.”
    “Boys!” Aradia silenced them. “Coin toss. Roy, you
can call it in the air. Nobody uses any powers or anything.”
    “Wise for Roy to call it,” Dax commented, “werewolves
not really having any special powers in their human form.”
    “You really want to push me?” Roy asked, puffing his
chest out.
    “Am I wrong? Or might you sniff out whether it would
land heads