Page 114 of Finding Storm

Her nose wrinkles. “I haven’t heard your music.”

“Again. Offended or not …” I chuckle.

“I’ll listen to it if you want?”

“Let me think on that for a little while.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know if my fragile ego could take the criticism.”

“Hey! I’m not critical.”

“Nope. Just honest. And so far, you like cheesy eighties pop and Ed Sheeran. I don’t think I stand a good chance.”

“One song, dude!” She sticks her index finger up. “One! It’s just a catchy tune, is all.” She pouts, and it’s fucking adorable.

“So, you admit you like the song?” I deadpan.

She scowls at me. “You ass … you tricked me into that.”

I shrug. “I’m smart. Can’t help it.”

“You’re a butthead, and you can help that,” she mutters, making me grin. “I just like the words. That’s all. Doesn’t mean anything.”

I’m laughing now. “Course not, babe.” Then, I give her a sobering look. “But you know, on the original chart release of this song, he sings it with Justin Bieber.”

Her hand covers her mouth, her eyes going wide. “You’re shitting me?” The words come out between her fingers.

“Nope.” I grin.

“Oh God, I’m a Bieber fan. Pen will be so proud.”

“You wanna hear the Bieber version?”

She pauses. Then, she glances around like there’re people around us who might hear. “Yeah, I kinda do.” She sighs.

And I’m laughing again. Like I always do when I’m with her.

“You can’t tell anyone. If you do, I’ll put your nuts in a shredder.”

I shudder. “That sounds fucking awful.”

She gives me an evil grin. “Exactly.”

Smiling, I lift her hand to my mouth and kiss it again. “Your secret’s safe with me.” I release her hand and search through my music until I find the Sheeran and Bieber collab version. I hit play, and the music fills the car.

“I’m such a dirty cheater.” She sighs. “But, damn, this is a good song. I don’t know if I prefer this version or the first version … probably the first version,” she adds a moment later.

“You’ll probably like more of Ed’s songs. I’ll introduce you to them.”

“Hey, calm down there.” She lifts a hand in a stopping gesture. “Don’t be getting all crazy. I like this song. But I’m not sure if I’m ready to go all full-blown affair and cheat on the eighties with this Ed guy.”

This Ed guy.

God, she cracks me up.

“Stevie Cavalli, you are the best kind of nuts,” I tell her, and she smiles, seeming to like that.