Page 53 of These Pucking Boys

“But still...”

“I forgot I had it lying around. I did a marketing campaign for the mobile phone provider, and they gave me that as a bonus. I don’t need it, you do. Take it, Peaches.”

“He really doesn’t need it, June,” Jake points out.

“My phone is customized.” Ryan shows her the sleek design of the case.

I’m a little annoyed at myself for not offering her my freebie. I also have a new phone somewhere in my room. It completely slipped my mind.

“What if my chip is also ruined?” she asks.

“Then you get a new one,” Ryan shrugs. “Chips are cheap.”

“Thank you, then. I truly appreciate everything you’re all doing for me. If there’s anything I can do for you in return, please tell me.”

I cover her hand with mine. “You’re already returning the favor, lass. The lasagna smells divine.”

She turns to me, her cheeks pink again. If we were alone, I’d lean in for a kiss. But I don’t want to risk getting shot down in front of Jake and Ryan. It could also give her the idea we expect sex in return for helping her out. That’d be horrible and so wrong.

“I hope you like it,” she replies.

“Let’s dig in. I’m starving.” Jake grabs a knife and cuts the lasagna in equal squares. “June, hand over your plate, please.”

“Oh, I can serve myself. You go first.”

I grab her plate and stick it out so Jake can give her the first piece. “Ladies always come first here.”

She shakes her head, but the corners of her lips twist upward.

Jake serves everyone else before putting a piece of lasagna on his plate. I take a bite and moan. “Fuck. This is good.”

“Really?” June asks.

Jake nods as he chews his own bite and swallows. “It’s amazing. Best lasagna I’ve ever had. Sorry, Ryan.”

He scowls. “I’ve never cooked lasagna before, jerkface.”

“But even if you had, June’s would be better.”

Ryan snorts. “Let’s see about that.”

We all watch him take his first bite. He chews slowly, and his expression remains stone-cold. I notice that June hasn’t eaten yet, and she’s leaning forward just a little, her body tense.

“So?” I ask once he swallows.

Ryan holds my stare for a second, then switches his attention to June but replies only once his gaze is down on his plate again, and he’s forking up another piece of lasagna. “June would win a lasagna bake-off.”

“Do you mean that?” she asks.

His mouth is full now, so he nods. I nudge her arm with my elbow. “You got Ryan’s seal of approval, lass. That’s huge.”

“But you’re still not allowed in the kitchen unsupervised,” he tells her.

Jake shakes his head. “So close.”

“You couldn’t let it go, could you?” I add.

June’s gaze darts around. “What’s going on?”

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