Page 45 of Tempting Him

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At five o’clock,I get a text from an unknown number.

I’ve only been here two hours and I’m ready to leave. Is that bad?

I programhis name in my phone before I reply.

Me:Are you not having fun?

Jayden:I just know I could be having more fun. ;)

Me:Enjoy the day with your friends, Jay. I’ll be here all night.

Two hours later,my phone dings with another message.

Jayden:Okay, I enjoyed myself.

I laughwhen I read it.

Me:Did you? Or have you been watching the clock the entire time?

Jayden:Are you spying on me? Haha! But no, I’ve had fun. There’s plenty to do and quite a few people.

Me:That’s good.

Jayden:But I would rather be with you.

His message hasme freezing up. I hate texting, because you can never read the tone, but his words hit me in the chest and make me feel...something I’m not used to. Do I tell him I’ve also been watching the clock, wondering when he might show up?

Me:I don’t want to monopolize all of your time.

It takeshim a while before he responds again, and I worry I’ve offended him or made him think I’m not interested in spending time with him. The opposite is true. I want to spend more time with him than I should want to. Not only is he so much younger than me, he’s the son of a friend and employee, and I’m leaving Michigan soon. Besides all of that, I’m not sure I’m wired to give him what he wants or deserves.

Jayden:Sorry. I got pulled away. Someone else is trying to monopolize my time.

Jealousy licksup my spine and the uncharacteristic trait boggles my mind. I told him to have fun with his friends, but based on the last part of his message, it sounds like a specific person is trying to spend time with him rather than him just having a good time with the group.

Me:Oh yeah?

Jayden:Yeah, just this guy I know.

Me:Remember what I said.

Jayden:What’s that?

Me:Are you being obtuse on purpose? Trying to rile me up?

Jayden:You’ve said lots of things.

Me:Jayden.

Jayden:I can almost hear your growl from here. Hold on. This guy is calling me over.

I callhis number and he picks up right away. “Hello?”

“Stop fucking around and bring your ass over here.”

He chuckles. “I didn’t expect you to call.”

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