Page 123 of Scattered Glitter

I shrug. “Nobody makes me choose between two good options.”

Still chuckling, he challenges, “Fine. Give me two bad options then.”

“All right.” I tap my chin, pretending to think. “Would you rather have Cheetos dust on your fingers for a year or have to walk around with wet socks for a year?”

Nicholas lets out a groan. “You’re bringing out the hard ones.”

“Come on, answer it.” I cross my arms, a sassy grin spreading. For a second, I forget to play my part and let myself be me.

If it’s ever safe to be myself, it is with the guy who is a mark and nothing more.

Nicholas’s smile softens as he looks at me, something akin to affection in his gaze. “I think I like the way your brain works.”

No one has ever complimented my brain.

Except…

“Thanks,I likeit when people notice,” I say, making him snort. “All right, Mr. Smooth Talker. Socks or Cheetos dust? And let’s be honest, anything other than Cheetos dust is insanity.”

“Fair point,” Nico concedes with a nod, smiling so brightly at me while he searches my face. A little quieter, he says, “It’s the only right answer.”

He’s seeingme, the real me, and he doesn’t seem to mind.

Maybe he even likes it.

And that’s terrifying and amazing all at once because it’s so much easier to let him see behind the walls than to put on a mask. It’s easier to be me than to keep up the glittering façade.

If he likes this version of me, the one who tosses out ridiculous would-you-rather questions and laughs without calculating the angle of her smile, then maybe I can let myself breathe around him. He won’t see the difference. He won’t realize that the girl in front of him is closer to the truth than I ever let anyone get. And if he likes this version of me, is it really so bad if I’m not constantly playing a role?

“Your turn,” I challenge when the pause gets too long, and his eyes linger on my lips while he licks his.

“Hmm, let me see. Would you rather—”

He gets cut off by the ringing from inside my purse, the sound breaking the bubble we’ve created.

“I’m so sorry.” I fake a sigh as I fish it out and glance at the screen. I let my face fall as I cringe. “The assholes are looking for me.”

Nicholas laughs, but it’s not sweet or soft. “Of course they are.”

I decline the call and slip my phone back into my purse with an audible exhale. “It was nice, though,” I say, meeting his eyes. “Thanks for helping me dodge bad company for a bit.”

He smiles, the warmth returning to his gaze. “Anytime, Rosie.”

As I walk back toward the twins, I smile to myself. He’s not an asshole. At least he wasn’t tonight. He seems genuine, kind, even. And the strangest part?

I could see myself liking him.

Thankfully, it doesn’t matter what I think of him. That’s not my job.

Koen is the first to spot me, his sharp gaze flicking from me to where Nicholas had been standing moments ago as he smirks. “Appears you were successful.”

“How would you know?”

“I could practically see his infatuation from here.” Koen’s eyes glint with amusement. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

“How could he fucking not? It’sher.” Sylus snorts. “I’m surprised he wasn’t drooling.”

Koen throws a quick, annoyed glance at Sylus. I ignore them and pull out my phone to open my messages and text Captain Bossy.

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