Page 10 of Semi-Rejected Life

He wiped it away. “So what happened?”

“I told you. I was out swimming, he ran over me, and then he fished me out of the lake before I drowned.”

“So why did he come looking for you then?”

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. “Because… well… I don’t know. He was being sort of flirty, maybe.”

“Maybe?” Cory lifted his eyebrow again. “What’s maybe?”

“H-He called me cute I guess.”

“And what are you going to do about it?”

“Probably nothing,” I replied honestly.

“Nothing?!” Cory scoffed. “Are you crazy? That guy is a walking smokeshow! He’s an easy ten! I can’t believe you didn’t hop on that already!”

I let out a long sigh. “You and I both know that someone that pretty doesn’t want anything to do with me. Besides, he said he’s just in town for the month. Even if I got involved with him, it wouldn’t turn into anything.”

“You don’t know that–”

“Yeah, I do,” I corrected. “He told me so himself. He’s going home to take over his pack at the end of his stay here. The guy isn’t going to give that all up for me. I mean… look at me. Who would give up a life of leadership and comfort for this?”

“I think you sell yourself short.”

“Just speaking from experience. If somebody wanted me to begin with, I wouldn’t be here in Shifter Grove.” I looked up at Cory who had a big smile on his face again. “Why do you keep looking at me like that?”

He tapped my shoulder and pointed behind me. “Obviously somebody wants you.”

I turned around to see River standing at the counter, leaning on one elbow. He had his chin resting in his palm as he looked my way. As soon as my gaze met his, he flashed me that big smile of his.

“How do I get a pizza made by the cutie here?” he asked.

“I’ll make it for you,” Cory replied, raising his hand. I shot him a glare. “I know,” he laughed. “I know. You want the Italian. I can take a hint.” Cory shooed me away from the workbench. “I’ll take care of this. You go chat with the hot one.”

I was mortified to hear him talking like that when River could so plainly hear him. Giving him one last dirty look, I headed for the counter, swapping out my glare for the best smile I could muster. I tried not to look nervous, but in the end I think I just ended up looking constipated.

“S-So,” I said, my voice shaking. “What b-brings you in?”

River lifted an eyebrow in disbelief. “Obviously I need a pizza and the company of a cute boy.”

“Damn he’s smooth…” I heard Cory mutter to himself.

“Zip it!” I turned back to River. “Well, the pizza I can do. As for the rest of it, we’ll have to see if we can find a cute guy.”

River reached across the counter and grabbed my shoulder. “Oh! Look at that. I found him already. That was easy.”

I blushed so hard I could barely think. “So… uh… you here to hit me with your surfboard again? Back to finish the job?”

“Only with your consent,” he smiled. “But let’s do an early dinner first, huh?” He looked over my shoulder. “If your boss is okay with it?”

Cory just laughed.

“I’m the boss,” I replied. “This is my shop.”

River’s eye’s lit up. “Oh. Well you’re a bit sneaky, aren’t you? You didn’t tell me you owned the place!”

“It’s not a big thing…”

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