Page 19 of Can't Always Get What You Want

I lean toward her again, raising my voice above the rumble of artificial thunder. "You like me."

She chokes around the straw in our drink, coughing as she sets the glass down with a clatter. "Excuse me?"

I fight back a grin. "You do."

"Pfft," she scoffs, her eyes narrowing like she’s trying to will me out of existence. "Absolutely not."

Her reaction makes me laugh—because it’ssodramatic, soher. I lean back against the ridiculous rhino seat, stretching out like I own the place, unable to keep the smile off my face.

"You’re a terrible liar."

“Excuse me?” Nova crosses her arms, looking at me like I just insulted her. "I aman excellentliar, thank you very much."

I throw my head back and laugh.

Nova scoffs again, shaking her head like she can't believe she's even having this conversation. "Okay, Mr.Mind Reader, since you apparently know everything, why don’t you tell me exactly why you think I like you?"

I lower my head, smirking as I watch her. "Oh, where do I even start?"

Nova rolls her eyes. "This should be good."

I lean in, just enough to make her shift slightly in her seat. "For starters, you flirt with me. Whether you realize it or not."

She opens her mouth, but I cut her off before she can argue. "Oh, don’t even try to deny it. Youalwayshave some kind of snarky comeback locked and loaded.”

“So? That doesn’t prove anything.”

“Youlikeour banter. You like keeping me on my toes. You like the way I push back when most guys don’t bother."

Nova exhales sharply through her nose. "That’s not?—"

I hold up a finger. "Not so fast, I’m not done."

She clamps her lips shut.

“You have a crush on me.”

“You’re right.” She responds in a breezy tone. “I’m only here for the free food.” Nova nabs a dinosaur nugget and nibbles on it. “I love how you just assume every woman is dying to date you.”

She’s hilarious. “Do you think I would be on dating apps if women were dying to date me? Please—don’t make me laugh.”

The truth is, it hasn’t been easy weeding through fan girls and wannabes to find someone who actually wants to be in a committed, long-term relationship… and not someone there for the clout and social media followers.

Nova pops the last bite of her nugget into her mouth and smirks. "Puh-lease! You’re telling me you’restruggling to find dates? Give me a break.”

I narrow my eyes at her. "You think I’m joking?"

“Yeah.” She nods. "Itisa joke.”

I don’t usually talk about this kind of thing—about how exhausting it is trying to find someonerealwhen most of the people who slide into my DMs just want bragging rights. But Nova is related to a man who, at one point, had the same issues when it comes to his personal life.

“All I seem to do is question people’s intentions, wondering if they actually likemeor just the idea of me," I confess.

Nova hums, tapping her fingers against the table. "Not to make this about me, but at least you’re getting dates. Ihave the absolute worst luck."

I tilt my head. "Bad luckhow?"

She waves a hand. "Cheaters, liars, guys who look nothing like their profile picture. Guys who realize they’renotover their exes in the middle of dinner?—"

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