Page 17 of Wonderland

“I’ve been called far worse.”

“Just so you know, if you’re trying to get into my pants, maybe don’t bring me to where your ex-girlfriend works.”

“She was never my girlfriend. I don’t have girlfriends.” I roll my eyes.

“Fuck buddies.”

“Never fucked her.”

“Then, why is she so upset?”

“Because she wants me to fuck her. Probably put a ring on her finger or some shit. Who knows.”

Becs returns, loading our table up with the pile of food I ordered. I wait until she’s gone to ask my next question.

“What am I to you?”

11

BOWEN

“I don’t think you’re ready for that answer yet.” Her nose scrunches, not liking my lack of answer.

“Whatever,” she mutters, picking up a mozzarella stick and biting it in half. How is everything she does entertaining to me? I watch her eat, taking a few bites of my own food. Thankfully, Nikkie stays the fuck away from our table.

I hadn’t thought about her when I decided to come to the diner. Nikkie has always lived in this neighborhood. Her mother and mine were tight at one time. It was why I let her get away with as much as I did. Her games haven’t bothered me before. But now that I have something to lose, I won’t tolerate her nonsense.

Nikkie has daggers for nails. In the past, it has fared well for me. She kept a lot of the girls away that I didn’t want to be bothered by. It worked—or it used to. To me, she’d always been like an annoying stepsister I had to put up with. Hopefully she got the message. Soon everyone else will get it too. I’m sure word is already spreading like wildfire.

“I want to go home after this.” Ace says. Her mood has changed. It’s strange how easily I can read her already. As sappy as it sounds, I feel connected to her. If someone would have told me I would be thinking that about a woman a month ago, I would have laughed in their face.

“You’re not going home. Not to yours at least.”

“I’m not sleeping with you.”

“You’ll be in my bed tonight. That’s not up for discussion.”

“You know what? Screw you.” She tosses her napkin down on the table and gets up. I stand, blocking her path. I let her walk out on me once, but that won’t ever happen again. “People are watching.”

“No, they’re not. They know better.”

“She didn’t know better,” she hisses, showing her hand. She’s jealous.

“I told you. She means nothing.” This is really coming to bite me in the ass. I’ll have to handle it if I ever want to come back here again.

“And I’m sure next week I’ll mean nothing.” She pushes at my chest. I’d smile if she wasn’t so pissed off. Her jealousy wasn’t what I wanted, but I’ll take it. I shouldn’t take pleasure in it, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I fucking love it. Ace hates the idea of me with another woman. That suits me just fine because she’s all I can fucking think about or want.

“You’ll never mean nothing, Ace.”

“Stop talking that way! You give me these half lines that confuse me. Talking about I’m yours or whatever.”

“I’m not a man of many words,” I admit. “I don’t typically need them, but you’re not typical, are you, Ace?” Her cheeks start to turn pink.

“That’s kinda sweet of you to say.”

“It’s the truth. You’re different to me.”

“Why?”

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