I didn’t know you then, but I like you better now. This girl looks lost.
I frown and scroll back up to stare at the picture. He’s not wrong. There’s a certain amount of ignorance in my expression like I couldn’t believe what I was doing, that I was there and posing for a whole bunch of men.
And now?
Him
Weathered. Not lost.
I smile.
You make me sound old.
He sends a nodding GIF.
I like my women older.
A laugh bubbles out of my chest.
Aren’t you just the smooth talker?
Him
You should know this by now.
Me
Joke’s on me then.
Him
So I have a question, and you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.
I cringe, all the possibilities coming to light.
Okay…
Him
Is the modeling what gave you money for college?
I blow out a heavy breath.
Yes.
Him
Okay.
Me
That’s it? No rage? No jealousy?
A knock sounds at my door, and I set down the phone to go answer it. As soon as I do, I find Reid standing there. I quickly let him in, about to reprimand him for possibly getting caught. Once he’s inside, he turns to look at me. He comes to me immediately and kisses me, grabbing my jaw and tilting my head to deepen it.
I moan into his mouth as he backs me up into the door. God, why does he taste good all the damn time.
He breaks the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. “That was part of your past, Avery. I’ll never judge you for your past.We all have one, and I know yours isn’t pleasant. I just wish you’d share it with me instead of having your friends share pieces of it for you.”
