Page 30 of Crazy for this Girl

“I see that I still need to tutor you on music selections,” he mutters into my hair. “The Ying Yang Twins, Laynee, really?”

“You must be living in an alternate universe, Cal.” I let out a silent and content sigh at his presence. “Everyone likes the Ying Yang Twins.”

“I’m not everybody.”

No, you’re not.

Pulling from him, his hands reach up to hold me still by my biceps. “Let me take a look at you.”

My brows furrow. “What are you doing? Selling me off to the next bachelor with the biggest dowry?”

His lips lift. “No, I’d be the one handing out the dowry and I’m not lookin’ to give away shit these days.” His greens flick down my face and I feel the beginnings of an obnoxious blush creep up my cheeks. “You still look the same.”

“Yeah, I rescheduled my nose job for next year.” I release a silent exhale to keep myself steady. Months away from him and I’ve gotten too comfortable with his not being able to examine me like he is now. That I can dress how I want and not really give a crap what everyone else thinks because with him…I’m always self-conscious.

For the first few days anyway, until I warm up to him again.

“Starting the process already to be a Stepford Wife?”

“Oh, for sure. I just need to take home economics so I don’t burn the kitchen down like Mom.”

“Thatta girl. I don’t think your husband would appreciate remodeling the kitchen every few months.”

“Oh, silly boy”—I slap playfully at his chest—“I plan on moving us every six months so I don’t get tired of my surroundings.”

“Of course.” His greens twinkle in amusement. “If you decide to stay unmarried, though, you can come travel with me without the attachment.”

My face lifts at his appealing and imaginary offer. “I’m listening…”

“I’m rich, Laynee. I definitely don’t plan on staying in California.”

Oh, this again.

“And you’re just going to pick up your trust fund and tour the world?” I hit him with a yeah, right scowl, but it quickly turns into a frown. “Wait…do you have one of those?”

Cal laughs, but doesn’t confirm or deny. “Would that make you come with me?”

I give a dismissive shrug. “Beats the nose job.” His heavy attention takes another assessment of me. “Anything else I should do?”

He slowly shakes his head. “Nah, everything else is good.”

“Perfect.” I move a little to get him to drop his hold on me so I can regain my bearings. “They teach you guys how to knock on doors in Cali, or do you all just mosey your way into people’s personal space?”

Cal doesn’t drop his breathtaking grin from illuminating off his face. “Where’s the fun in that when you can watch your best friend look like she’s being possessed by the devil?”

A broken chuckle escapes from my throat as I cover my mouth to keep it contained. It’s not funny, but it’s the truth. I couldn’t bust a move to save my damn life.

“Need to get you a bottle of holy water, just in case.”

“Next time your mom takes you in town,” he says. “I’ll come with, and we can stop by that small church and see if they have any.”

I finger-gun him. “Good idea. However, I’d love to stay away from Mom as much as possible this year. She’s been on it lately.”

“For what?”

“A guy called the house a few weeks back, and—”

“Are you even allowed to talk to boys? I think you’re still a little too young to be—”

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