Page 15 of Perfect Boy

Besides Denton and a few select friends, I’ve held everyone at arm’s length. That stops me from being in bad positions. The way it was when I was growing up. And the way it was with Denton.

He might claim he wants to be my friend, but everyone knows that girls and guys can’t really be just friends. Not without things getting complicated at least. That’s a fact. Especially when the guy looks like Watson and makes my heart beat faster every time his fingers brush against my skin even if just accidentally.

I need to keep him at a distance. It’s the only thing that will keep me safe.

Watson

The ride back is silent. I attempt to make small talk, but she responds to it with one-worded answers. So, eventually, I just turn the music on and let her sit and stew. Or whatever the hell she’s doing over there in my passenger seat.

I don’t like the thought of knowing that Denton fucking Wells treated her badly. And I really don’t like thinking about how he can still do it since he’s at the same campus. The look on his face tonight, that was the look of a jealous, angry man. I don’t know if he would have acted the same way if she had been alone, but I know I’m going to keep my eyes on her. And him too.

We’re only a few minutes away from where her car is parked when I pull into Dairy Queen.

“What are you doing?” She scowls as I start toward the drive-through.

“My mom always says there’s no bad day that can’t be fixed with ice cream.” I shrug. “So, I’m gettin’ you some ice cream. Whatcha want, Tiny Dancer?”

“I don’t want ice cream,” she huffs. “Maybe I’m lactose intolerant.”

“Are you?” I gaze over at her and am met with a glare.

“Well, no,” she grumbles. “Maybe I just don’t want ice cream.”

I sigh. “It probably sounds stupid, but after my dad died, I’d bring my mom ice cream. For the first month or so, she never ate it. But after a while…she did. And then it became our inside joke in our family. That ice cream can fix everything.” I stop behind the line of cars. “Obviously, I know that it can’t actually fix things. But…it helps.”

Her gaze softens. “I’m sorry about your dad.” She pauses. “I just don’t know why you’re being so nice to me,” she whispers. “What do you get out of it? Or what are you hoping to get? Because I meant what I said. I’m not interested in anything romantic. Not just with you, but with anyone.”

“I get the pleasure of spending time with a pretty badass chick,” I say, giving her a small grin. “Now, whether you like it or not, I’m getting you ice cream.”

Just then, it’s my turn to pull up and order. I go out on a limb and just guess what she might want. I don’t know her, and I have no idea what she likes and doesn’t like. But I want to make her night a little less shitty. And I don’t care if I sound like a weirdo after sharing that I used to buy my mother ice cream.

“Hi, can I get one Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard and one Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard?” I say into the speaker.

Once the lady tells me to pull ahead, I drive to the window and pay. And when she hands me the two Blizzards, I set them in the cupholders and drive to a parking spot.

“Which one do you want?” I nod toward them and stick a spoon in each one.

“You ordered two,” she says, narrowing her eyes like she’s confused. “So, you must have had a specific one in mind that you wanted for yourself.”

“Nah, actually.” I shrug. “I just figured if I ordered two different kinds, you’d be bound to like at least one of them.”

She looks from me to the ice cream, the look of shock never leaving her face. Finally, she gives me a small smile, and fuck if my heart doesn’t flip. I’m a pathetic fuck when it comes to this girl.

“I like both flavors,” she says softly. “You choose.”

“Tiny Dancer, they’ll melt before I choose the first one.” I point to them. “Go on. I promise, I don’t care which one you leave me. Ice cream is ice cream.”

Taking the Frosted Sugar Cookie one, she tilts her head to the side. “Are you sure? You can have this one.”

Grabbing the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup one, I wink. “Nah, I was hoping for this one anyway. Not a big sugar cookie fan.”

Her mouth hangs open. “You were really going to eat the one you didn’t want if I chose Reese’s?” She looks baffled and untrusting, but then, she smiles, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes playfully. “Are you always this nice?”

“Stick around, and maybe you’ll find out,” I joke. “Now, eat up, and let’s make this day better.”

And like an obsessed fucking freak, I watch her bring the spoon to her mouth and take a bite. Sending a jolt right to my dick and making me wish my cock were that spoon.

7

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