“What’s it like?”
I decided to give her an example. “Not only can I remember things, I capture details without meaning to.”
“Like what? Give me an example.”
“I know there are seven people sitting on this patio with us.”
I gave her a moment to look around, tallying them up.
“Three are male, four female.”
She nodded.
“Four are white, two black, one Asian.”
Again, she nodded.
“Two brunettes, two blondes, three with black hair.”
Her gaze skimmed each one.
“Five sets of brown eyes, two blue. The blue-eyed blond guy is missing the third button from the bottom on his jean jacket.”
All seven of those people were behind me. I hadn’t seen them since I walked out, and she knew that. The entire time, I’d focused on my food or her.
“Very impressive,” she said with a smile. “I’m good at something, too.”
“Yeah?”
Laikyn licked her lips. “It’s a topic not meant for young ears.”
I was grateful there were teenagers lingering nearby because I didn’t think I could listen to her reveal some sexual secret. I was hanging on by a thread as it was. For the past two weeks, Laikyn had been pushing my buttons. Whether directly or baiting me with her ongoing conversations with Jinx. I knew they shared a mutual attraction. It was obvious. I also knew Jinx would never do anything without me prompting him first. Since I intended to keep my relationship with Laikyn platonic, I had no intention of doing so.
However, I wasn’t a saint, and her mention of batteries and her vibrator when I got home had nearly undone me. I prided myself on control, but this woman was unraveling the thread slowly. And deliberately.
“You’re young, Laikyn.”
“In years, sure. But this town … you grow up fast.”
I got the feeling she was right about that.
She reached for her cup and brought the straw to her lips. “Did you grow up here?”
I shook my head and pushed my plate away. “Oklahoma.”
“I thought I detected a drawl in there.” She set down her cup, then wadded up her napkin and placed it on her half-eaten bowl. “When did you move here?”
“Twelve years ago.”
“Why?”
“A friend suggested I do it.”
“Jinx?”
“No. He came with me.”
“The one who suggested it … is this a close friend?”
