I counted off on my fingers. “You have the silver fox, the bouncer, the band, the techie–”
“And the one who builds robots.” He tore off a hunk of crust, then grinned amid chewing.
How did he still manage to be charming? Those dimples did a lot of heavy lifting.
I chuckled. “I’m not building bots lately. But I’m sure we could rally in an apocalypse setting.”
“All I know is, I’d want you on my team.” He offered me the last of the garlic bread, and my stomach fluttered.
Would eating this particular snack signal we were done kissing for the evening? I picked up the piece and tested its springiness. “I’d like you on my team too. You know everybody, you’d eat anything, and you’d entertain me.”
“Like a clown?” He laughed.
“A jester, maybe.” I nibbled on my snack, admiring his lips and dimples.
This man was born to make people happy. It was a real gift, as was his laughter. His company. His kisses, maybe.
I could give him…something. Not just virtually.
I scooted closer, he slid his arm around my waist, and my phone buzzed with a security alert.
“Fuck,” I muttered, wiping my hands so I could check the screen.
Victor’s car pulled into the driveway, though the tinted windows prevented me from telling if he was alone.
“My brother’s home,” I said.
“Right, no problem.” Sal retracted his arm and shimmied about two feet away.
I reached for his leg. “Where are you going?” Was my breath that bad?
He furrowed his brow. “Weren’t we keeping this under wraps?”
“Oh, yes.” I’d almost forgotten about that. He still wanted to be friends with Janice, and I wanted to be free of judgment. I cleared my throat and pushed up my glasses as the garage doors rattled up to let my brother in.
Footsteps approached, then the door creaked.
“Hello, kids,” Victor purred, his smooth voice rumbling in that strange, affected way he practiced.
“I’m older than you,” I said, my tone flat. “And we aren’t kids.” We paid our taxes and hadn’t been claimed as dependents for years.
“My mistake.” He slunk into the room, his eyes slatted as he took us in. “How are you enjoying your evening?”
“Fine.” I gritted my teeth. What, now that I was busy he wanted to hang out with me?
Sal gestured to the boxes on the coffee table. “Want some pizza, man? We have plenty.”
“What a kind peace offering. Sadly, I’ve had my fill of food this evening.” Victor slid his hands into his pockets and sauntered over to lean against the edge of the couch. “What are we watching?”
“Space Spies 3009.” I sighed. “Aren’t you going to visit Kat tonight?” It’d be nice for his latest obsession to benefit me.
“She’s got plans with her younger sister.”
“And you didn’t want to join them?” Hard to believe. He had no problem third-wheeling here, and he liked Kat way better than me. “I thought her sister was so nice,” I exaggerated. According to him, she was my best friend-to-be.
Victor blinked, the corners of his eyes crinkling with mockery. “She is nice, comparatively speaking.”
“Compared to whom?” I bristled. Was I so mean? Tricking out his car, building him a mech, and wanting to spend some goddamn time together without romantic interests?
