Page 22 of Wildly Inappropriate

“I don’t know, I’d say you only count as half a human, size-wise at least.”

“I’mnotthat short!” I hiss. “I’m the average size for a woman in the United States.”

“That’s just what they tell you so you don’t get worked into a rage and start biting people’s ankles.”

I hear a snort from Izzy and look over to find her staring at JT and me, her mouth hidden behind her entwined hands and her eyes alight with glee. I realize how close JT and I have gotten since we were both leaning in as we whispered insults, and I pull back.

“Just because I happen to spend all my time around giants doesn’t mean I’m small. You are the abnormal ones,” I say, aiming my glare at both Izzy and JT.

“Rude,” Izzy says. “First, I can’t be a theme park princess because of my height, and now this. What did I ever do to you?”

I can tell she’s joking, but I do feel a bit bad about bringing her into it. But to be fair to me, I did warn her that there is often collateral damage when JT and I are together.

“Sorry,” I say.

She waves her hand, indicating my apology isn’t needed.

Instead, she turns her attention to JT. “Did you agree to go out with Janice’s daughter?”

“How could you possibly know that’s what she was asking me.”

“It’s what she asks every single man she meets these days.”

“Dang, and here I was feeling special by the offer.”

“You should. Sarah is awesome. That said, she is like 15 years older than you, so I’m not sure where your age gap line is.”

JT looks at me quickly before looking away and fidgeting with his hat. My eyes narrow at the move—everyone knows it’s what he does when he’s nervous. “I mean, I’m not opposed to a bit of an age gap.”

“Well, she’s also in love with her mom’s neighbor, so that could also throw a wrench into things,” Izzy says.

“I do try to avoid dating women who are in love with other men,” he says with a chuckle.

“Smart,” Izzy replies.

“Well,” I say, making sure to slurp the last bit of my coffee up through the straw. “I’d better head back to work.” I stand up and slide my phone into my jeans pocket.

“I’ll meet you back there,” Izzy says, smiling up at me innocently.

I don’t like the looks of that smile, but it isn’t like I can sit back down now or force Izzy to come back with me. Instead, I offer a quick, “Okay, see ya,” to Izzy and a middle finger to JT before heading out the door.

As the door is closing behind me, I hear Izzy say, “So my parents have this thing on Friday night…”Ugh.

Chapter eleven

JT

“Ten minutes!” I yell,knowing it’ll piss Lila off.

It’s Friday night, and I’m waiting for Lila to change so we can head into town together for the Harpers’ annual BBQ. Izzy sent Lila and me a group text yesterday afternoon, telling me to ride in with Lila so I’d know where the house was. Apparently, sending the address would’ve been too difficult. I asked Lila if she’d rather go in alone, but she’d just shrugged and said, “It’s fine” before curling back up on the couch to read.

She leaves her book out in the living room every night when she goes to bed. It’s one I haven’t read yet, and I’ve been tempted every day to crack its pink cover open and read it. I finally broke this afternoon when I was taking a break from golf to escape the heat. I’d just finished the series I was reading, and the dreaded moment when I had to pick what to read next just felt like too much for a Friday afternoon. So I’d started hers. It’s a pirate romance, and I’m hooked. I may have decided to skip my planned session at the driving range this afternoon to read instead. I have to admit I also really enjoy seeing Lila’s notes and colorful underlines throughout the book. It feels strangely intimate to be reading the same romance book as someone else.

Noticing a fancy marker under the couch, likely one Lila has been using as she reads, I pick it up before flipping to the place where I stopped this afternoon. A minute later, I turn the page to realize I’ve now passed Lila’s farthest spot. Glancing at her door to make sure she’s not about to catch me, I pull the top of the marker off with my teeth and start reading. She’s been underlining the female main character’s quotes in pink and the male’s in blue, but that’s not really what I’m here for. I’m more interested in having a conversation with the book. So, with one final glance at her door, I write in the left-hand margin.Why don’t these pirates say, “Argh, matey?” more?I chuckle to myself imagining the eye roll that is going to break Lila’s face when she reads it. I keep going, leaving a few more comments throughout. Most of them are serious thoughts, questions, or predictions, but I sprinkle a couple of one-liners for my own amusement—and, maybe, if I’m being honest, a little bit for Lila’s amusement as well.

“Oh, sonowyou’re hanging out in the living room?”

Lila’s voice startles me, and I slam the book shut, hastily hiding it by my thigh. Jack lifts his head up from his bed, eyes narrowed at me. Fortunately, Lila makes her way to her shoes lined up nicely by the door, putting her back to me. I quickly stick the book back in its rightful place and jump up to join her.

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