“How much do you know about flirting?”
“Not enough, obviously, since I’m asking you for help.”
“Do youknowwhen someone’s flirting?”
“Um. Yeah, sometimes.”
“Do you?” I tilt my head with a grin.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not totally clueless, jeez.”
“I know. Just seeing how much you know. The steps are simple when flirting.” I hold up my other hand to count with my fingers as I list each point. “Eye contact. Smiles. Compliments. Light-hearted teasing. And if the other person is reciprocating, you can take it to the next level by touching. It can be brushingyour hand on his shoulder. Or his chest. Get creative, but always remember to be elusive. You want him to chase.”
I wonder if she’ll catch on that I do this with her every day. It’s dangerous to lay those cards on the table for her to see, but I can’t help it. My heart bleeds for her. As much as I’m terrified of her rejection, I want her love, despite being unable to follow through with it.
Nova’s eyebrows pinch together, and she stuffs the rest of the strudel into her mouth. She shifts in her seat and scratches at her scalp near her nape.
Frowning, I lay my hand over hers and lower it to her lap. “What are you thinking about, pretty girl?”
She swallows hard and peeks at me from the corner of her eye, her cheeks flushed. “I don’t know if I can flirt.”
“Why would you think that?” I tilt my head, perplexed that she went from eager to learn to now convinced that she can’t do this.
“I get nervous around him and shut down.” Nova winces. “I overthink and try to play it cool and always end up awkward. I don’t know if I?—”
“That’s where part two of this lesson comes into play.” I release her hand and settle my palm on her thigh. “Before you meet up with this fu—” I clear my throat. “Before you meet this guy, you’ll practice with me.”
She glances at my hand on her thigh, then back at my face. It may be too touchy for her, but I need her to get used to it. And fast. Especially if she wants to help me with my Sally problem.
“Why can’t we practice right now?” she asks.
I tsk with a shake of my head and stand. “It won’t be organic.”
“And you think it will be later today?” She scoffs.
I boop her on the nose and slip my hand into my pocket, grabbing my phone. “While at the fair? Yes. It’s such a busyplace that it’s often overlooked as an opportunity for a little bit of romance.”
Nova narrows her eyes. “I’m guessing you’d know from experience.”
I chuckle and unlock my phone screen. “That sounds a bit like jealousy, sis. You sure you aren’t jealous of the other women sleeping with me?”
“I’m not jealous,” she grumbles as I stride out of the kitchen with a huge grin. “You’re not leaving, are you?”
“Nope. I need to check if there’s a party tomorrow night, and then I’m all yours.” I shift my attention to my phone screen and type out a message to an old acquaintance.
If Nova wants to help me, I’ll milk as much of this fake relationship as I can. I just hope she’s ready to be thrown into the deep end tomorrow evening.
SIXTEEN
NOVA
Aiden callsmy name as I race to the fairground gates. I check over my shoulder to gauge how much distance I’ve put between us. He trails behind a good twenty feet and tilts his head with a questioning look directed at me.
I love how his black alt clothes, dangling straps, and silver-dyed hair make him stand out from the crowd. In a sea of preppy teenagers and young adults, an emo guy walks tall among the same people who gave him hell while we were in school.
If any of these people knew what I enthusiastically allowed my brother to do to me, they’d shit their pants and burst a blood vessel.
Heat crawls up my neck at the memory of Aiden’s lips on mine and his fingers spreading my pussy lips. I turn forward, widening my strides to keep the distance between us, hoping I can outrun these confusing feelings.
