Page 20 of Scattered Glitter

“So, when you saysoon, I’m guessing you mean because Blondie’s going off to live with her Romeo?” I ask, leaning back against the balcony railing as well, my eyes never leaving her.

“Yep.” She pops the P, then closes her eyes, a content smile spreading across her face.

God, she’s so damn beautiful.

“And no other friend is moving in after she leaves?” The idea of her being alone here doesn’t sit right with me.

She shakes her head, opening her eyes and meeting my gaze with a mix of humor and honesty. “I don’t have friends.”

I blink, surprised. “You’re the most outgoing person I’ve ever seen.”

She snorts softly, a sound that’s somehow adorable coming from her. “There’s Belle, and that’s about it,” she admits, furrowing her brows and glancing away for a moment as if she’s just realized she let something slip.Jackpot. Maybe tonight I’ll get lucky, and she’ll slip her name too. “Honestly, I think you’re the closest thing I have to a friend besides her.”

What?

“Me?”

This is the longest we’ve ever talked.

“Yeah, funny, isn’t it?” She giggles again, her laughter soft and slightly embarrassed.

“Not really, no,” I reply. “I want to be a lot of things to you, Sparkle. I guess I can be your friend, too, while I’m at it. Let’s just say I’m your person.”

She shoots me a sly look, her lips curving into a playful smile. “Oh,Hottie, I don’t shit where I eat.”

I laugh, caught off guard. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“Vortex?” She rolls her eyes, grinning wider. “It’s like a second home to me.”

I freeze as the penny drops, my eyes widening. “That’s why?”

“That’s why…what?”

“That’s why you’ve fucked every dude around but never me?”

She giggles again, a mischievous sparkle dancing in her eyes. “You think it’s easy keeping my hands off you?”

The playful challenge in her voice makes my pulse quicken, and I grin. “Well, then.” I step closer until there’s barely any space between us. “Sounds like I have to quit my job.”

“Oh, shut up.” She laughs, but there’s no bite to her words, only that playful spark I’ve come to crave.

Noticing the blunt is now burning low, I press it out against the railing and flick it off the balcony.

“That’s it,” I announce as I pull out my phone and start typing. I’ve watched her for months, seen the way she carries herself like she owns the world, even when I can tell it’s a lie. She’s the kind of woman who makes you want to be better, even if you’re sure she’ll never let you close enough to try.

But maybe she just told me what I need to do to get my chance.

“What are you doing?”

“Quitting.”

I quit. Don’t bother calling.

I send the message, then show her the screen when it shows as delivered. Her eyes go wide, disbelief and amusement flickering across her face.

“Wait, are you serious?”

Putting the phone in my back pocket, I smirk before I grab her by the throat. “Dead serious.” I pull her to me, capturing her lips in a kiss that sends a sharp sting through my split lip. But I don’t care. I’ve dreamed about this moment for months, and now that it’s finally happening, I’m not holding back.

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