I continue my little staredown with June, who has yet to look at me.“You know, it’s going to be a long date if you can’t even look at me.”She rolls her eyes but doesn’t reply.“You’re quiet,” I note.
“I’m always quiet.”
“More quiet than usual,” I clarify.
“You noticed?”
She has no idea.
My mouth quirks as I take her in.Her long eyelashes.The little bow of her mouth.The freckle beneath her right eye.“Every tiny detail.”I rest my shoulder against the wall and cross one ankle over the other.
I got nowhere to be, June Bug.Might as well start talking.
“So?”I push.“Why so quiet?You disappointed in the results?”
Her full lips press together even more.
Well, fuck me sideways.Is she disappointed in the results?
My question hangs in the air until my insecurities—yes, I’m human, and yes, I have them, though they’re usually more of a rare annoyance than a constant nagging—rear their ugly head.
“June, are you seriously disappointed?”I push.
With a deep breath, June murmurs, “Not the word I’d use?—”
“Ouch.”I clutch my chest.“Way to knock a guy down, Bug.”
Her gaze finally flicks to mine.“Maybe I’m reeling from the fact that you spent way too much money on me.Ever think of that, Ford?I don’t want to be looked at as a pity date or a joke.”She looks back at the ground, and I can practically hear the inner self-loathing from my spot beside her.
Wait.What did she just say?
“June, you’re not a pity date or a joke?—”
“Yeah, because none of us heard Ethan’s comments during the auction.”She shuts down even more, reminding me of a kicked puppy.
I scrub my hand over my face.“Those comments had nothing to do with you.”
“Of course, they didn’t.”She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.“Look, I know you mean well, but if we could pretend I didn’t say that last part, it’d really help me get through the rest of this evening.Please?”
I want to push back.I want to shake her and tell her she’s crazy if she honestly gives an asshole like Morgan’s words even a sliver of her mental space when she’s so much better than him in every fucking aspect.Trouble is, I know it won’t get me anywhere.Not tonight, anyway.
“Besides,” June continues, “I’m sure Cobie would probably let you off the hook, since?—”
“I don’t want to be let off the hook.”
She peeks up at me again, and I can’t decipher what shines back at me.Disbelief?Anxiety?Apprehension?
“You sure?”she whispers.
“You doubt me?”I volley.
Her eyes thin as she studies me, and I can’t help it.I’m curious.What she’s thinking.The thoughts filtering through her pretty little mind.Does she want me to let us off the hook?Would she rather surrender than spend a night with me?Fuck.Talk about a blow to the ego.And not the kind that includes a hot mouth wrapped around a certain appendage, either.Nowthoseare solid blows to the ego, if you catch my drift.This, though?This is downright uncomfortable.Is she honestly disappointed I bid on her, let alone won?Or is she just butthurt over Morgan’s messed-up comments and is somehow projecting her insecurities?
“I can’t decide,” she admits before clarifying, “Whether or not I believe you.”A gentle shake of her head disperses whatever is on the tip of her tongue.
June tucks her stick-straight hair behind her ear, and a glint catches my eye from the movement.Interesting.I hadn’t pegged her as a jewelry girl.Or at least, nothing over the top.The diamond studs are a nice touch.Nothing too flashy.Just tasteful.Feminine.Like my June.
Feeling my stare, she squirms beside me.“Anyway, it doesn’t matter… Uh, if you’re sure you want to do this, when do you want to cash in?”
