Page 6 of Bonding with the Beta

My brows raise to my hairline. “What kind of business?”

“Oh, it’s boring.”

I frown. “Can’t be as boring as Karl Marx.”

Kayden pins me with a dumbfounded expression. “Who?”

“Exactly,” I exhale with a subtle smile. “Tell me about your business.”

“I do coding.”

“And you think that’s boring?”

“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “Coding is notorious for being boring and extremely nerdy.”

I shrug. “Yeah, well, it’s cool to be nerdy and intelligent.”

“It’s nothing like going to university and getting a degree.”

A small laugh slips from my lips, and his eyes gravitate downwards. “You do realise most people turn up to lectures and classes either still drunk or severely hungover? There isn’t much to praise.”

“I beg to differ.” He smirks.

I shake my head in disagreement. “So, I take it you’re good at what you do?”

Kayden nods unconvincingly. “Yeah, I guess.”

“You can bang your own ass, you know, Kayden.”

The air between us tightens. He stares at me in surprise. I don’t know if he wants to burst out laughing or run in the opposite direction. My cheeks burn to the point they hurt. I realise that isn’t the sort of thing you say to someone you’ve just met.

“Excuse me?” he chokes out a staggered laugh.

“You know that saying…” I trail off, my voice becoming quieter. “Everyone knows that saying.”

Kayden’s face lights up with amusement. “Trust me, I haven’t heard that one before.”

Ah, fuck. Blame the alcohol for my non-functioning brain.

“Oh, right.” I cup the back of my neck with embarrassment. “I meant, blow your own trumpet.”

Kayden bursts into laughter, and it makes my heart spike. “Bang your own ass? Holy shit, that’s a good one.” He attempts to catch his breath, but he starts laughing again, and I try to flush out the mortification.

“I wasn’t trying to imply that you–” I cut myself off as he purses his lips and swipes a finger over his chin. “You know…I mean, do whatever you want,” I murmur, and he chuckles again. “Oh, God. I’m going to stop talking now.”

He bites back a grin, and I want the ground to swallow me until there is nothing left. I glance away to find some of my sanity, but I know I look like a tomato with my fair skin. I need to go home and never look back.

“Guys!” a voice behind us yells from the back door. “We’re cutting the cake. Come before there isn’t any left.”

Thank God,I cry out in my mind.

I rush after her without looking at Kayden. I came out here to compose myself, and now I need to compose myself even more. My stomach growls at the thought of cake, needing anything to soak up this devilish liquid inside me.

Ava and Jaxon stand beside the baby-pink cake before cutting into it and sectioning off small portions onto plates. My eyes grow at the sight of the cream and jam middle.

I scoop some onto a fork and moan internally at the taste of strawberries. I didn’t even notice Kayden beside me as I practically shovelled in the entire thing without pausing for breath. “Wow,” I murmur.

“Good?” Kayden’s voice echoes into my ears.

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