Page 120 of Behind the Bars

“It must’ve been around Christmas, because a lot of businesses close on Christmas day, but don’t worry”—he leaned back in his chair—“I hear you can get candy half-priced after the holiday,” he said with a smolder to hisvoice.

I cracked up laughing. “Wait, time out, sorry, just to be clear, we’re talking about your penis,right?”

He nodded. “Yeah, sorry, did I take this the wrong way? Because I was ninety-nine percent sure we were on the samepage.”

“Oh yeah, I was definitely talking about your penis.” I continued to giggle, wiping tears from my eyes. “It’s just…you literally just said your penis was half-priced after the holiday season. Like, what’s a full-priced penis of yours like? Do you charge for the meal before dessert? Is the tip included in the fees? How many customers a year sample the chocolate? What’s the return policy? Did you know selling this form of chocolate is illegal in all states but Nevada? In the moviePretty Woman, Julia Roberts sold white chocolate and had such a hard time with it. Does your penis have Yelp reviews, and if so, what is its star rating?” I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down myface.

Elliott bit his bottom lip and shook his head back and forth. “Jasmine?”

“Yes?”

“Can you stop saying penis?” he asked, a small, wicked smile on hislips.

“Yes, sorry. I swear I’m a grown-up.” I cleared my throat, looked around the space, and then whispered, “Penis.”

“Thanks,” he joked. “I was trying to have swag, and you just killed all my c-coolpoints.”

I was out of breath, laughing so hard at the situation. I was sure it had taken an awkward turn for Elliott, but watching him get nervous and seeing that playfulness in his eyes was so worthit.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I exhaled, still wipingtears.

“Keep doing that,” he told me with hissmirk.

“Doingwhat?”

“Laughing. It’s my favoritesound.”

His comment made my laughter die down, and butterflies shoot to my stomach. “Stop it.” I blushed, twisting around in myseat.

“Stopwhat?”

“Staring at me likethat.”

“Likewhat?”

“Like you’re crazy aboutme.”

He grinned, but he didn’t say aword.

The owner of the store, Carol, came over to our table with the cheeriest voice. “So how was everything?” she asked as she collected the cups from thetable.

“Out of this world amazing,” I toldher.

“That’s good to hear. You two are adorable to watch together. How long have you beentogether?”

“Since we were sixteen,” we said inunison.

His smile met mine, and it felt sogood.

“That’s so sweet. Well, listen, if you’re interested in setting up a cake order, I’d be happy to help you out withthat.”

“No, we—” Istarted.

“Yeah, that would be great,” Elliott cutin.

“What?” Iasked.

“Just bring over the form and we’ll fill it out together,” he said with a completely straightface.

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