Page 13 of Laugh

She flushes and mumbles, “I’m not some crazy woman or anything.”

“I didn’t say you were.” My brows furrow, not liking that she put herself down. Probably because I called her weird earlier. Being an ass isn’t something I intentionally do, but like her, sometimes I speak before thinking.

Sighing, she tilts her head back against the headrest of her seat and looks at the roof of the car. “No, you didn’t. I’d think I was, though. I write in my free time, and I like to write funny stories. I love reading all genres of books, but some of my favorites are paranormal romances. You know, like vampires and wolves.”

That doesn’t surprise me honestly, and my eyebrows raise in question for more explanation.

“There’s a ton of stuff out there. Books where ideas try to top other ideas with how new and different they can be. Anyway, I read a few where people shifted into dinosaurs, or basilisk snakes, things like that. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed them, but I also thought it was funny and started thinking about odd pairings. Like right now, transformers starring in their own smut film. I’m not creative enough to come up with agoodstory, but a ridiculous one? That I can do. How funny would it be to read about a transformer? But not one of those muscle cars or a big rig or something. What if it was a super old, puke yellow Volvo? He’s rolling down some old country road and gets hot and bothered by a brand new, pretty little stop sign. How would that happen?”

“Your creativity is a bit beyond my comprehension, I’m afraid.”

I glance over when she’s silent and I see her chewing on her lip. Eventually, she blushes and looks out the window. “That’s probably the nicest insult anyone has ever given me.”

Fuck.“I wasn’t trying to insult you.”

She simply waves me off. “No worries, Cap.”

I really don’t want to have another stilted fake conversation with her. In an odd, sort of nutty way, she’s actually quite endearing. There’s also something in my gut telling me not to brush this off, like it’s actually more important to her than she’s letting on.

Clearing my throat, I tap my thumb on the steering wheel as I glance over at her. “So, aside from being a librarian extraordinaire, you’re also a writer?”

Haddie snorts out a self-deprecating laugh. “You could say that. It brings great shame upon my father’s house, but it’s fun… Hannahbanana.”

“Come again?” I’m not sure if I heard her correctly. She sort of mumbled out that last thing.

Her lip tilts up on the side when she repeats herself, enunciating what she said, but not removing me from my confused state. “Hannah. Banana.”

“What do you mean ‘Hannah Banana’?”

“That’s my pen name. I’ve got a bunch of short stories out there on the interwebs. The stuff I write can be pretty sexually graphic, but I’ve gained quite a following. I don’t write under my name because of my job. Not that I’m ashamed of it or anything, but you know…” Haddie waves her hand in the air toward my general direction and finishes. “People. People can be real freaking judgy.”

My head bounces from side to side in thought as I consider what she said, ignoring that she lumped me in with people who judge. “They can be, for sure. But if you enjoy it, there’s no shame in that. It’s a unique hobby, that’s for sure.” Eyeing her from the corner of my vision, I attempt to throw her off balance. Gain a little even footing. “I’d love to read something sometime.”

It’s comical how quickly her head jerks to stare at me, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. “Shut up.”

“No, I won’t shut up.” It’s easy to keep a straight face and pretend nonchalance with her.

I can’t hold back a bark of laughter when she smacks me on my shoulder with one of the weakest efforts I’ve ever encountered. “Chris! Don’t tease me so. Because if you’re messing with me, I’m going to make you read the most disturbing one I’ve got. I have literallynoshame.”

Laughing softly, I pull my SUV into a parking spot in front of the library, putting it in park. Turning toward her, I brace my elbow on the wheel and rest my face against my fist. “Bring it on, Haddie.”

“Happy.”

“Happy. I’m sure I can handle your idea of disturbing.” Running my eyes down her body then back up, I flash her a quick smile. I’m not sure when I started enjoying her, but her quick and unpracticed reactions have me entertained, if nothing else. “I’m not sure I believe you can write something that would shock me.”

Glowering at me, she leans back and crosses her arms. “Forthatattitude, I’m going to make you wait, and you can read the one about my transforming Volvo. It’s going to be epically messed up, just for you.”

My body leans forward, excited by her threat. “There’s no way you’ll shock me. I’m surrounded by immature, hormonal guys that love to say the nastiest shit in the locker rooms.”

“You drive a hard bargain.”

I blink.Fuck me, she did it again.“What?”

Her smile grows slowly, and that hint of wickedness is fucking sexy. “That’s the title of it. I’ve just decided. A little double entendre if you will. You’ve challenged me and it really fits the theme. I want something from you if I manage to shock you.” I want to say that she is being cocky, but she actually seems really excited by the prospect of the challenge I’ve presented her with.

Turning off my SUV, I fist my keys and eye her warily. “What do you want?”

“Oh my God, wait. I probably shouldn’t ask for anything. Aren’t you dating my sister? She’d be really pissed if I made you do something for me when I blow your mind. She’s kind of a bitch, fyi. I feel like now that we’re such good friends, you should know.”

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