He smiled and nodded. “Same with bubblegum. It makes me wonder about what restaurant candy I’ll buy for my grandkids one day.”
Good gosh, we can’t be talking about his black-haired grandkids. So I change the subject.
“You know, I’ve never been able to blow a bubble with bubble gum.”
“I could teach you,” he offers with a glint in his eyes.
“No way. We will not be doing that.” I laugh.
“Let me know if you change your mind.”
I shake my head, and the movement reminds me of how crazy my hair is today. I run my hands down it, trying to nonchalantly achieve some sort of calm.
“I love your hair. It’s your showstopper, I think. It draws people in, then when you look closely at everything else, nothing disappoints.”
Pretend boyfriend. Pretend boyfriend. Pretend boyfriend.
21
Alexander
“Alex,thisisinsane.”
“I want to have a fancy evening with you, and you didn’t bring a fancy dress. So it’s not insane for me to buy you one.”
“I feel like I’m inPretty Woman. It’s gonna be clear I don’t belong here.”
“I never saw that movie, but you’re definitely a pretty woman. So …”
She playfully backhands me in the abs. Conveniently, I had just exhaled, and they were flexed. I watch her notice that fact and turn away. I chuckle.
“Hello. And welcome. How may I help you today?” The woman spends ninety percent of her greeting time looking at me. It annoys me because we are in this women’s boutique toshop for Ivy. But she doesn’t react to my presence, so points to her that she has the good sense not to act like a big fan. Or maybe she isn’t a fan, and that’s fine too.
“I need a dinner dress,” Ivy says. Clearly, she noticed the woman’s attention was focused on me and wanted to get the woman back on track to what she should be doing, and who she should be paying attention to.
“Alright. Come with me. Sir, you can wait in the lounge outside the dressing room.” I follow the direction of her lifted hand to an area filled with tufted chairs and proceed to wait. My phone vibrates in my pocket just as I sit.
GREY
What are you doing in a women’s clothing store?
ALEXANDER
How do you know where I am?
I look at my message settings with Grey and sure enough I’ve been sharing my location with her.
ALEXANDER
Remind me to never let you use my phone again.
GREY
*crying laughing emoji* Don’t worry, I’d never use it for nefarious reasons.
Iunshare my location.
GREY
