"Show me your playlist. Prove to me there's a country song that has just as much meaning as a rock song." He wiggles his fingers, silently requesting my phoneagain.
I hold it tighter. "No way. Someone's playlist is the most personal thing you could ever see aboutthem."
He tilts his head. "Really? I think we already know each other pretty personally.” He winks and my heart speeds up. “Come on, Kenzie. Showme."
I let out a small giggle, loving that he can joke about us. "That's different," I state, sittingtaller.
"How? I want to see inside your music world." He leans in, placing his hands on the table and lowering his body so it's closer to mine. "Come on. Show me," he teasinglywhispers.
I can't help but laugh as I slowly drop my phone, sliding it across the table, baring my music choices for him to scrutinize. "Fine, but you have to show meyours."
"Oh, I like a little show me yours, and I'll show you mine," he jokes, handing over hisphone.
I sit back, feeling like I'm holding a buried treasure in my hand. The lock screen has a picture of a snowy mountain and tracks running through it. I know he used to ski when we were little, but I'm surprised he stilldoes.
Turning the phone to him, I ask, "You stillski?"
"Hell yeah, any chance I can. Those are my tracks." He points at the figure-eight lines that arehis.
"Let's see," he huffs, scrolling through my playlist as he leans back in his chair. "Dolly Parton?" he questions with one eyebrow raised while turning the phone to show me thescreen.
"Hey, that'sJolene, her most amazing song. Miley Cyrus sang it onThe Tonight Showat a subway station in New York, and it was amazing, so you can't knock thatsong."
He laughs, holding up his hands in defeat. "Okay, no making fun ofJolene. I get it." He continues scrolling. "My god, woman, you are the queen of country and pop. I need to introduce you to some newartists."
"What, like Thousand Foot Krutch?" I ask. "What kind of band name isthat?"
"They kick ass. You'll love them. Ipromise."
I roll my eyes. "We'll see aboutthat."
"Is that a challenge?" he sits up, leaning over thetable.
"Maybe," I counter, leaning equally in asfar.
"My place, tomorrow. We'll go song for song and see who can convertwhom."
"You got a deal, but you have to play fair. No going in, saying you'll hate it, because then you won't give it achance."
"Don't worry. I always play fair." His eyes meet mine, and he raises his hand to push my hair behind my ear. "You better bring your A-game, because I'm about to blow your mind," he states, handing back my phone and reaching forhis.
I want to say he already has, but Irefrain.
When the waitress asks for our next round, Connor declines. “I have to work in the morning so I shouldn’t,” hesays.
I knew he worked a lot but I’m slowly seeing just howmuch.
“Connor Hayden, what, you think you get a life now that you left work?” I hear a guy say as he approaches our table. Connor shakes his hand and instantly the guy’s eyes fall on mine. “Sister’s friend my ass. Hi, I’m Nick, the guy this douchbag left hanging today when he had lunch withyou.”
My eyes widen as Connor lets out a small laugh. “Nick, this is Mackenzie, Mackenzie, this is my co-workerNick.”
“And by co-worker he means the better, harder worker, than Connor here, but nice to meetyou.”
His hand reaches across the table when I feel Katy kick me softly from under the table, motioning for me to introduce her. “These are my friends, Chantel, Scott, Robin, and Katyhere.”
His eyes land on Katy who’s sitting next to Connor. “Nice to meet you, Katy,” he says in a cockyvoice.
“Same here. You want to join us?” Katy says giving his attention right back tohim.
