Page 105 of Bookworm

Bo's frown deepened, but I wasn't sold.

"It has to be nice knowing someone wants you," I said.

"Not unless you want them back," he grumbled.

I tilted my head in thought. "But who'd actually make up a bet like that yet alone participate?"

"Exactly, Kent." Bo shook his head. "Whoever it was, I hope they had a good laugh."

"Maybe they just wanted an excuse to get close to you," I suggested.

He shot me a look then shrugged. "Like I said,people are crazy."

"Come on, you loved being the center of attention."

Bo let out a long, deep sigh. "I didn't, Kent."

"Why not?"

"Because there's only one girl whose attention I've ever wanted," he said.

My jaw dropped in surprise. Not noticing this, Bo continued, but I was still stuck on what he'd inadvertently implied.

"Stryker," I said, pulling him to a stop. "I can't believe what I just heard."

"What?" he said.

"You, my grump-tastic boyfriend, are a romantic at heart."

He was shaking his head, but I wasn't having it.

"Oh my gosh, you have a crush!" I said.

"Shut up."

"But it's true. You're in looove."

Bo narrowed his eyes as I smiled."You're having way too much fun with this."

"Yes, but can you blame me?" I said in delight. "You didn't like the bet because your heart already belongs to another. Iceman, ha! You are so much more the Flower Boy I've come to know and l—like."

Bo coughed, but it sounded like he was trying to cover up a chuckle.

"Thought you were going to say loathe," he said.

I forced a laugh. "Yeah, had to change it up because I know you better."

"And?" he prompted.

And I hadn't been about to say loathe. I'd almost said love. Because I love what I know, theBo I'd learned more about, the guy who had already fascinated me and was now becoming so much more than that.

I wanted to ask.

Oh, I was dying to know who she was.

Who was this girl who'd won Bo's heart?

But something, maybe some sense of self-preservation, stopped me from uttering the words.

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