Page 72 of Divine Obsession

And I felt that familiar pull urging me to get even closer…

I shrugged casually, leaning back and faking nonchalance. “Fine.” I almost laughed at the glint in her eyes. “It’s just a word forlittle nuisance,”I said with a straight face, biting back a grin and watching her try to process it. “Fitting, don’t you think?”

I let her chew on it, enjoying the way she processed the insult.

Finally, she scoffed. “You dick. You think that fits me?”

Instead of answering right away, I reached for another fry.

The lie was already out there, and for now, I was content to let her believe it.

“Are you saying I annoy you?” She pushed, raising a brow; her voicesin. I couldn’t help chuckling. “You’re the one that can’t stay away from me.”

“I happen to like a little chaos.”

“Is that why you keep testing me?” Her caramel eyes turned to slits.

I shrugged. “Maybe I like seeing how far you’ll let me push.”

“I’m not your toy, Trevor.” Despite her sweet smile, I caught the clear warning beneath.

She might let me play with her if I got her in the right mood…

But it’d never be mentally or emotionally.

“Not what I meant,amai. You’re just not so easy to figure out.”

“Is that why you keep trying?”

Another dark chuckle worked its way past my chest.Shit. Maybe.

She shook her head slightly. “You won’t win.”

I shook my head too. “Never said I was trying to.”

We looked at each other for a moment; neither backing down.

She took a deep breath, leaning back into the booth “But hey, what do I know? I’m just the Lisa Simpson to your Squidward.”

I couldn’t help but laugh again, shaking my head. “Squidward, huh? That’s charming.”

“Just calling it like I see it.”

Her pink aura was infectious, making my chest and head lighter.

But it didn’t last long before the gravity of everything started to creep back in. The sound of the diner clattered around us; forks against plates, the murmur of strangers, the bell above the door as it flipped open and closed.

“About earlier,” Natalia cleared her throat. “I know our families don’t get along for whatever reason–”

I shook my head, waving her off. “Don’t worry about that.”

“Really?” She sounded surprised.

“It’s not going to be a problem anymore.”

She searched my face for a moment.

“Okay,” She said, finally, with a soft smile.

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