I looked up at her as I sat back on my haunches. “A magician doesn’t share his secrets.”
She opened and closed the drawer once more, marveling at the smooth glide back and forth. “How good are you at fixing printers?”
I made my way around the desk before sitting on the other chair, propping my feet up on the island. “I’m a construction guy, not an IT guy. Don’t look at me like that. And no, I don’t fix chairs either.”
She bounced up and down. “It’s just so squeaky.”
“No.”
She opened her newly fixed drawer again and pulled out a pair of black gardening gloves. “Fine. Go away. I’m done with you, then.”
“Oh, we’re not done. We’ve got something to settle first.” I glanced over at Jake across the room, leaning against the door, who was all smiles under his black cowboy hat but had been strangely silent so far.
“What?”
“Jake extended the bet. Which meansyouget another chance to go out with me.” Might as well just spell it out. Tessa would never agree to this if she thought it was still for a bet. And I needed Tessanotto agree to this, but I had to play it up a bit for Jake.
“Are you sure you can handle another rejection?”
I held back a smile. “Come on, Tess.” I motioned toward Jake with my head. “This isn’t about us. This is about that redneck cowboy over there. Picture this: you and me eating a nice steak dinner on Jake’s dime.” Actually, that didn’t sound horrible.
She laughed. “That thought is really tempting, but it’s still a no from me.”
“Wow. That rolled right off your tongue. Don’t you want to take him down? I’ll split the money with you.”
“The more I say it, the easier it becomes,” she said, her eyes sparkling.
“The Tessa from three years ago would have jumped at the offer. IknowTessa fromtenyears ago would have.” I shouldn’t have brought that up, but I had a feeling she would blush and I was right.
“Tessa from today isn’t interested in the arrogant flirt you’ve become.” She leaned forward and pushed my legs off the island. My body jolted forward as my feet hit the ground with a thud.
I laughed, though it seemed hollow in my ears as I leaned forward in my seat. “What about that coupon?”
“I’m going to need to see it before I can accept it.”
“I can have it here in ten minutes.”
“I think you’re bluffing,” she insisted.
I held up my hand, inspecting my nails in the light. “I’m also reminded of a certain love note…”
She fought off a smile.
I continued, confident she would be turning me down, which for some reason made me a bit reckless. The attractive way she bit her lip at my teasing had nothing to do with me enjoying myself. “One that professed an undying love and devotion and pledging herself to marry me if I ever ask her.”
“I was eight.”
“I mean…it’s practically written in stone.”
“Erasable pencil.”
“Same thing.”
She glanced down, pulling on her gloves while I took notice of the light spattering of freckles on her cheeks. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that—”
My eyebrows raised. “Really?”
“The past ten seconds.”
