Page 65 of A Little Tempting

“Do you wanna know what her social media tells me?” he challenges.

I nod.

“It tells me she’s so afraid of being herself and standing out that she isn’t worth your brother’s time or anyone else’s for that matter.”

“Harsh,” Finley calls from behind us.

He smirks back at her. “True.”

“Those are a lot of assumptions coming from you,” I murmur, again surprising us both. I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t push. But I can’t help it.

“I’m paid for those assumptions, Dylan.”

“Like Hitch.”

“Exactly.” His smile spreads, and he pulls out the seat across from mine, flipping it around and resting his forearms on the backrest while giving me his full attention.

“Are you always this cocky?” I ask.

“Yes. Are you always this argumentative?”

“Not usually,” my brother interrupts, but the bastard looks more amused than confused, and it makes me prickle more.

I open my mouth to defend myself, but Reeves cuts me off. “Let’s check out your social media, shall we? See how you compare to the walking red flag.”

“Oo, then do me!” Finley calls.

“We already know you’ll pass with flying colors,” Reeves answers her, playing the girl like a fiddle, and even though I know Finley can see right through it, the girl freaking preens.

“You’re not wrong,” she sings.

His grin widens. “I’m never wrong.” The charisma exuding from across the table makes me want to claw my eyes out as he pulls his phone from his shorts and unlocks it. “What’s your handle?”

I give it to him, and he nods, finding my profile in two seconds flat. I can’t see what he’s looking at, but I don’t need to. I know what’s there. The pictures and videos and quotes I’ve posted over the years. Instead, I’m given a front-row seat to Reeves’ reaction to them. The tiny divot between his brows. The softening smirk. The subtle movement of his thumb as he scrolls through my profile. Pausing on some posts. Flicking through others.

My chest is tight as I wait for his reaction. His assumption. His declaration the guys will likely grasp as if it’s scripture. Well, if they didn’t know me, they would, anyway.

“It isn’t so easy creating assumptions when you don’t have much to go on,” I mutter.

The gentle shake of his head fans my nerves as he continues his perusal. “Nah, this tells me plenty.”

“And what does it tell you?”

A beat of charged silence passes as his eyes lift from the screen to pin me in place. “The quote tells me you're thoughtful. The selfie with your best friends tells me you care about your loved ones and aren’t afraid to share the spotlight. The no makeup, silly face tells me you’re genuine. And the lack of daily posts tells me you care more about experiencing the world around you than proving to others you’re experiencing it. This girl?” He leans forward and stretches out his long arms, setting his phone in front of me and showcasing a corny selfie of me from last Halloween when I dressed as averyunsexy scarecrow. “This girl’s worth dating.” He leaves it there, backs away, and stands, heading to the kitchen with a sexier-than-sin swagger. Like he didn’t rock my world. Like he didn’t make me question whether or not I even care if Everett’s my Cinderfella anymore when I have a guy like him asking to take me to Homecoming. Part of me wishes he hadn’t. That I wouldn’t have to question if I’m crazy for being interested in a guy who’s paid to take girls out but is willing to go out with me for free. The other part? Well, I’m seriously regretting agreeing to the whole Dylan’s-the-prize bit, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

16

DYLAN

This girl’s worth dating.

The words circle through my brain. Over and over again as Dr. Broderick stands in front of the classroom, droning on about…well, I have no idea because I haven’t heard a word. As soon as Reeves showed up with two coffees, both loaded with sugar and caffeine, I was done for.

“And that will be all for today,” Dr. Broderick comments. Chairs scrape against the floor as people stand up, each heading for the exit. I wait for Reeves to do the same, but instead, he waits, kicking his legs out and staring at the side of my face like I’m the most fascinating thing in the world.

Unable to actually acknowledge his attention, I gather my things and stand up, preparing to head to my next class.

When he joins me, I give in and turn to him. “Thanks again for the coffee.”

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