Page 44 of Forget Me Not

For once in my life, the prying eyes of everyone around us gets under my skin.

“I don’t talk about that shit.”

“Okay,” she shrugs. “So, what do you talk about?”

“Nova.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I? Can’t we just enjoy sweet crabs and talk about right now?”

She stares at me for a beat and I think she’s going to storm out. But, she stays.

“Fine,” she concedes, but something else crosses her face. “But you can’t keep secrets forever, Reid . . . Sometimes, they catch up to you.”

“Why does everyone think he’s so great?” I grumble to myself under my breath.

It’s not like he’s the nicest man on the planet. His dick isn’t made of gold.

Okay, I don’t know that for sure, but I’d be willing to bet money on it.

Katelyn pauses, looking first at me, then following my line of sight across the street to where Reid is talking with Sophie, Tara, and Manto.

The perfect little double date.

Jesus, even I think I sound bitter.

Katelyn laughs, shaking her head as she continues setting up her table. I stopped by her booth to help her get everything set up for the day with the quilts her grandmother made for the festival. I even threw in some of my paintings because I’m running out of room, though I made her swear she wouldn’t tell a soul who painted them.

Across the street, Sophie laughs at something, while I resist the urge to gag because I know she’s just exaggerating it because Reid is right there. I haven’t spoken to him since our sweet crab not-date. That was two days ago, and it feels like it’s been a lifetime. Both of us dancing around each other. Neither of us speaking about that day on the beach.

Like he knows I’m watching him, his gaze flicks up and he winks, nearly stopping my heart, right there on Main Street.

Asshole.

I look away before he sends me into cardiac arrest, my cheeks flaming so hot, I’m not sure if I’m embarrassed or if the sun overhead is beaming me up like a UFO kidnapping a cow.

I know I’m being irrational. I have no hold over him. I can’t claim him. All we’ve shared is one night of over-the-clothes sex and a few stolen kisses that were anything but sweet and innocent. Or platonic.

But still.

“You know,” Katelyn starts, interrupting my silent damnation for Sophie and her shiny-ass perfect blonde hair. “You could always . . . try.”

I shoot her a look and she holds up her hands in self-defense.

“Don’t hurt me. I’m just saying. You’ve been staring at him and huffing since you got here. Really killing the mood.”

“I have not,” I argue. I totally have, but I refuse to admit that.

“Please,” Katelyn rolls her eyes, chuckling under her breath. “If you had lasers for eyes, Sophie would have two holes in the back of her head.”

“Why would I care?” I quip. “He’s an asshole. She can have him.”

That actually makes her snort.

Honestly . . . rude.

“He’s a hot asshole. And you just don’t want to admit you like him as much as he likes you.”

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