Keats claps his hands together once and seems rather chipper. “Three panties it is.”
“This is your cue to leave.” I don’t break my stance.
He makes an effort to move. “You were hospitable tonight, little demon. Thank you.”
“Did you do something to the pizza before I came downstairs? Is this some psychedelic experience?”
“Say no to drugs, Esme. Didn’t you listen in sixth-grade health class?”
Ruefully I shake my head, realizing I’m seeing a side of Keats where he lets go. The stuffy neighbor that I knew has faded away.
“Get out of here,” I say, but my face is relaxed.
He walks to the front door, and I follow. Opening the door, he gives me one last once-over. “Next week then… unless another box arrives and you need to be reprimanded.”
“I’m going to throw something at you.”
We both have one last stare of… I can’t pinpoint what.
But it’s different.
And scary.
8
ESME
Ipush the plate with the blueberry muffin back to Hailey. “No, thanks. I need to fit into a dress tonight.”
Foxy Rox is somewhat busy today, so maybe it will drown out the sounds of stupidity in my head.
Hailey drags the plate back in her direction. “More for me.” She takes a giant bite while she watches me. “Oh yeah, you have thatthing.” Even when speaking with a full mouth, I can still see the line of a grin.
Shaking my head, I continue to twist the paper wrapper from the straw for my iced tea. “It’s just amusement. I would have had a boring evening anyhow.” I roll a shoulder back, trying to downplay this all. “Keats can suffer a little bit. I mean, I sure as hell don’t plan on being cordial in the car.”
She holds up her two fingers. “Twice? Really.” I’m regretting that I told her about my recent activities. “What is he…”
My eyes budge out at her. “You want to go down that route? But… yeah, okay, we rip into one another even when doingthat.”
A Cheshire-cat smile forms on her mouth. “This is so awesome. I love seeing people fight attraction.”
“Oh, really?” Now I get to smile. “How is that working for ya?”
Her palm flies up at me. “It’s different. Oliver is off limits, so that idea can ship on out of my mind.”
“Mmhmm.”
“Your dress.” She’s changing the topic. “Classy yet revealing or full on it looks like he is paying for a hooker, and it doesn’t look good at a professional function, but you want to piss him off kind of look?”
“I’m not that horrible of a person. I’ll keep it classy but not for him. I’m just a beautiful, well-behaved woman who might even find a nice guy tonight.”
She sputters a laugh. “You’re going to pick up hockey guys?”
A long breath leaves me. “Fine. You’re right. I won’t. Besides, the text I got just said it’s cocktails and that’s it.”
“Maybe Keats owes you a dinner then.”
“Well, I will be starving, so the least he can do is feed me.”
