Page 10 of Magnetic God

“I am.”

“You mentioned having other ideas. Care to share what those are? Unless they all involve kissing.”

He grins, showing a flash of white teeth. “Now I’m wishing the other ideas did involve kissing.”

“Well?”

“Kissing off the table, then?” After my nod, he says, “Alright. You could slap me.”

My eyes widen. “Why would I slap you?”

“Why not?”

“You’re doing it again. Stop answering my question with a question.”

“Next idea. You let me sign your shirt.”

I look down. “Sign my shirt…”

“Now who’s answering with a question?”

I huff out a laugh. “First, you were answering my questions with a question which I didn’t do. My sentence just kind of trailed off. Second, you just did it again. Third, why do you think signing my shirt will make Peter jealous?”

“Peter?” His gaze darts across the room. “Nice to have a name to go with the prick.”

Jess laughs and covers it with a cough.

I’m trying not to laugh, too, but do a better job.

“Back to your shirt. I sign it. Over your boobs.” His gaze lingers on my breasts long enough for heat to pool between my legs. “Then I take a picture and send it to Grave Keeper.”

I have warring emotions. While I think it would be awesome and maybe even a little sexy to have him sign my shirt over my boobs, as he put it, I don’t like that he wants to take a photo to send to another guy. Like, how would that make my fake boyfriend jealous? And why would I let him take a picture of my chest? We just met, and I don’t want a photo like that to end up online even if I’d be fully clothed.

“No.”

His eyes widen. “What?”

“I said no.” Turning to Jess, I say, “I’m ready to go. Are you?”

She glances over at Matt, who’s still flirting with the other girls, and sighs. “Yeah.”

Ignoring Brooks, I slide off my chair and walk out of the bar. My heart is pounding like I’ve done something wrong. I want to look back so badly, but I don’t. I won’t.

Jess is silent until we get outside.

“He seemed shocked that you told him no.” She pauses. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks. My mom would be glad to know I listened to her and Pastor Sullivan.”

We both share a smile. My mom and stepfather have always been… intense in their beliefs. From religion to how I should act in public. It didn’t always make for a pleasant childhood, but I’m actually glad to have that little voice in the back of my mind that told me to stand up for myself tonight.

“Want me to order the Uber?”

“Yeah.” Jess makes a face. “I’ll text Peter and let him know we’re leaving.”

“Not going to text Matt?”

“Nope.”

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