Page 115 of Mr. Wicked

Especially when I smelled like a goat without a swipe of makeup on my face and an outfit that I’d sweated through more than once today.

Regardless, he was a follower of mine. His purchase contributed to my income. And now that his sister owned the fanny pack, maybe she would become a follower, along with her friends.

That was why it didn’t matter how I felt about myself in this moment. How bad I smelled. How gross I looked and felt.

I appreciated what I had.

And kindness was never difficult.

“What color did you get her?” I smiled.

“Same as yours. The pink one.”

“Good choice,” I replied. I read his name tag and held out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Sebastian.”

“You as well.” His stare gradually shifted over to Grayson. “And you’re the boyfriend. I’ve seen your pictures on Jovana’s account.” He gave Grayson his hand and they shook. “You own that dating app, right?”

Grayson wasn’t amused.

He was also losing his patience.

“You mean Hooked. Yes, I’m a cofounder.” Coldness was pouring off his face by the gallon.

“Yeah, Hooked, that’s what it’s called.” Sebastian’s focus returned to me. “It’s cool to see you in here. I can tell my friends I met someone famous.” He laughed to himself as he walked away from the table.

I connected my stare with Grayson’s, who was now leaning back in his chair, his arms perched high on his chest, his gaze penetrating right through me.

“What?” I asked him.

“What do you mean, what? That dude was eye-fucking the shit out of you.”

“No, he wasn’t.”

“He certainly was, and the kicker is that I’m sitting right here. That takes some serious balls.” His expression became a little more pompous when he said, “You’re the boyfriend. You own the dating app.” He even tried to mimic Sebastian’s voice and Boston accent.

Someone was hot and bothered.

And I loved that.

“What did you want him to do?” I rested my arms on the table. “Bow down to you?”

He glanced around the bar until he found Sebastian, his eyes turning into a glare. “How about treat me with a little respect. I’m your goddamn boyfriend.”

I sighed. “Isn’t that a loaded statement.”

He mirrored my position and said just loud enough for me to hear, “On paper, I am, Jovana. And as far as that motherfucker knows, you’re taken.”

Except that paper was going to be shredded.

And in Grayson’s mind, I wasn’t his.

“It’s funny to me that this even bothers you. You don’t want love. You don’t want to be tied down. You don’t want emotions to be involved whatsoever. But you don’t want to hear about the male friends I’ve met online, like Jared, and you don’t want me to date your best friend, and you care about Sebastian striking up a conversation with me, which was all he was doing, Grayson.” I knew the next thing I was going to say was a bold move, but I no longer cared. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you actually felt something for me.”

“Do you know what I feel?” He ground his teeth together. “Blue balls.”

I knew how long it had been since we’d slept together.

I felt the ache too.

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