“Of course. It’s Jonah’s turn.”
But Jonah has that stubborn look on his face. “I don’t?—”
“It’s Jonah’s turn,” I say again, trying to keep my voice light while my eyes flash with retribution if he makes Maisy cry.
“Fine.”
I expect him to name something easy just to get it over with, but this is Jonah. The boy is competitive. Especially if it has anything to do with me. He’s been that way since the moment I moved in. Telling me in no uncertain terms that this was his town. His family. His dad. And that I’d better not fuck everything up for him. I don’t think about what happened before he made that announcement. My first day at Hopeview High is not a cherished memory.
Jonah takes his time scanning the van and then me, his eyes roaming over me in a way that makes me want to squirm. Telling him to hurry up would give him what he wants, so I remain as still as I can. Maisy, however, doesn’t hesitate. “Come on, Jojo!”
He smiles, and it’s so fond that for a second, I can’t breathe. What would it be like to get a smile like that?
Dangerous. The word pops into my head, and I feel it to my bones.
“I spy with my little eye something…white.”
“Mama’s shirt?” Maisy guesses.
“Nope.”
“Your earbuds?” I ask, but he shakes his head. Several things in the van are white, but we quickly go through them all. I almost text him again to remind him she’s only four.
“Bell and I give up,” Maisy says, slumping in her seat.
I don’t want to give up. But I also don’t want to drag this out. “Fine, Jonah. You win.”
He grins, and I roll my eyes. “Vivian’s teeth.”
“What the—fudge?”
“I mean, you can’t see them unless you smile. Give us a smile, Vivian.”
I glare at him, but I’m not sure what I’m mad about. That he had to be so competitive with a children’s game? Or the fact that now I have to smile for him. On command. A wave of lust washes over me, and I fight against it. I don’t want Jonah bossing me around. Okay, I don’t want to want Jonah bossing me around, which isn’t the same thing at all.
“Come on, Vivian,” he coaxes. “Smile for us.”
I smile, showing my teeth as I shoot daggers at him. Fucker.
My fingers fly over my phone.
I hope you don’t plan on sleeping during this trip. I will get you back.
Jonah looks at his phone and snorts.
Bring it.
The man is annoying. Childlike. Irritating. But I can’t help the thrill of excitement that zips through me as I plan my revenge.
