Page 17 of My Brother's Bad Best Friend

“Nope,” he says. “I just like the way you blush and get pissed when I do. Makes you look even more like a rose.”

I sigh. There’s no winning with a guy like him, especially when he doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him.

“Yo, Jonas.” A big guy with a black shirt motions to him from the door.

“Duty calls.” He stands up, stretching a bit. “If you got nothing to do, go help Lane make drinks.”

I snort a little bit. “You gonna pay me?”

“Probably not. Like I said, if you got nothing else to do.” He eyes me for a second. “But you probably need a job, don’t you?”

“I can find my own job,” I grumble. “I’m not completely useless.”

“Sure.” He grins at me. “See you later, little rose.”

“Asshole,” I grumble as he walks away, following the big guy back out into the hallway.

I sit there for a few minutes, starting at the back of my phone. I hate to admit it, but I kind of do want to get up and help Lane. She seems cool and down to earth and weirdly southern. I want to know her story, maybe figure out how I can get some of that coolness myself.

Besides, it’s better than staring at my phone all afternoon, feeling sorry for myself.

But I don’t want to give him the satisfaction. It’s like he’s both being nice to me and being a dick, and I have no clue which one is the genuine Jonas. Maybe they’re both him, part dick and part decent guy. He’s a dealer and an asshole and a gorgeous, kind human being. Or maybe I have it all wrong and he’s just the dirtbag most people think he is.

I have no clue. I guess it doesn’t matter.

I last ten minutes before I finally get up and go over to the counter. Lane gives me a little smile and motions with her head for me to come around and join her in the back. I guess Jonas already told her I might help out.

I might regret it later, but I slip on an apron and try to be a normal person for at least a little while.

---