Page 33 of Bona Fide

"Why are you staring at me like you wanna jump me from across the table?" My phone buzzes in my hand, but I don't look down to read it. Instead, I bat my eyelashes.

“I was just thinking I wish you liked pussy.” His whole face screws up.

“Ew.”

I laugh, a real and genuine one. I need more Andy in my life. Even if it’s for the banter or just a way to get me out of my tunnel vision with my business, he’s healthy for me.

“You’ve never fucked a woman?”

“Absolutely not,” he asserts.

I raise my brows. “Wanna try?”

"You're disgusting." He glares at me, clearly appalled, and I miss messing with him. So, duh, I continue.

“You’re cute enough. I’d give it to you for free?”

He lifts a brow. “Do you normally charge?”

My lips crack. “Shit, I should.”

“You can’t be that good in bed.”

“I blow people’s minds.” Using my hands, I gesture a bomb going off.

“Mhm—” He rolls his eyes. “—and you say I’m cocky.”

“That’s why we get along so well.” Our waitress brings us our food, but it doesn't stop my bestie from blurting out his next comment.

"That, and it's because I haven't literally tried to fuck you." The skinny blonde drops our plate of mozzarella sticks with a loud clunk on the table.

“Sorry,” she stammers, pulling her tray to her chest. “Can I get you anything else?”

"Another tequila shot for each of us, please," Andy replies with a shit-eating grin. She quickly leaves before he turns his focus to me. "You didn't offer cheers to the last one, didn't count."

Peering down at my phone, I let Andy start digging into his burger while I respond back to the man who takes my mind off my day-to-day.

Chase: I don’t regret it too much. Talking to you, I mean.

Chase: You’re some sort of safe haven in my chaotic world of shit and liars.

Me: Same. I was just saying that to my friend.

Chase: You were talking about me?

Chase: Now, I’m scared.

Me: I swear, nothing bad. And that did sound weird, didn’t it?

Chase: Yeah…

Chase: But it means you DO think about me.

Me: And here goes the ego…

Chase: What, it makes a man feel good that he has a positive effect on a woman. I don't get complimented much. Give me a break.

Me: I’ll send a Kit Kat bar to your office.

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