“Stop looking so tempting.”
She widens her eyes. “Only if you stop being so devastatingly handsome.”
“Is that how you would describe me?” I ask.
“Depends on who I’m describing you to, I guess.”
“So it changes according to the audience?”
“Absolutely. Like I’d tell my granny you’re handsome, but I’d tell my friends you’re fuckhot, one word, not two.”
“Is there a dictionary definition to go with that?”
“Yeah, it’s the fire and heart eyes emojis.”
I laugh and her grin widens.
“I like it.”
“It suits you, I think.”
“Mm.” I set my hand palm up on the center console and she slides her delicate fingers into it. “How was your day?”
“Good. Long because I’ve been waiting all day to see you. How was yours?”
“The same. I tried to read after practice, but I couldn’t focus.”
She shifts so she’s facing me. “How do you like the new book?”
“It’s wickedly addictive.”
“Right?” Her eyes light up. “I would have died if I had to wait a whole year between books. Thankfully I stumbled on it when it was complete, so I didn’t have to languish in despair over the cliffhangers.”
“You didn’t say anything about a cliffhanger when you gave it to me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have the next one ready for you.”
“You should just give it to me now, soIdon’t have to languish in despair,” I bargain.
She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “But then I won’t have any leverage.”
“What would you need leverage for?”
She shrugs. “It never hurts to have a bargaining chip.”
“And you think I’m the evil one? You know I live for those dog-eared pages.”
She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth. “Are they your favorite?”
“You know it.”
“Tell me why.”
“Because I get these little glimpses of what makes you tick.” I kiss the back of her hand. “They’re yours and you trust me with them. They’re pieces of you.”
Everything about her softens. I want more of these unguarded moments with her.
I turn in to the aquarium parking lot, and Tally’s whole face lights up. “Oh my gosh, Flip! The axolotl exhibit! Fee mentioned it last week, and I looked them up and they are literally the most adorable little things in the universe. Plus, sharks! This is so exciting!”
