Page 15 of Just My Type of wrong guy

“Fine, I’ll give you two pecks.” I smirk, being dragged by my security guards into the shell, and they wave their hands furiously.

“Why didn’t you kiss any of them?” Alexandra asks, confused and curious.

“Didn’t you know? I’m saving my kisses for you,” I tease.

“I didn’t know you were going celibate.” The comment is so involuntary it stings.

“My kisses are part of the show, can’t just kiss everyone around, or it loses the magic. But one day you’ll beg for a kiss, and I’ll refuse without hesitation, because you dismiss me too easily.” I wink at her, flipping my hair, and Alexandra ’s look at me is playful, not aggressive, which surprises me.

“You wanna bet?” She raises her right eyebrow in challenge.

“That you’ll beg?”

“No. I’m a persistent girl when I want something,” she points out, twirling a lock of hair with her fingers, and gives me the smirk of someone who’s about to destroy my life. “We’ll have to see if you’ll really refuse,” she says with disdain and takes two quick steps toward one of the empty tables.

Be careful with that bet, Alexandra Saldanha.

I only play with fire when I want to burn myself.

Chapter Five – Alex

The world comes to life and everything's right

from beginning to end, when you have a friend by your side

That helps you to find, the beauty you are when you open your heart

And believe in the gift of a friend

Gift Of a Friend - Demi Lovato

A.J. Fortin is not some daddy’s boy. A.J. Fortin is not just the singer, but the composer of the song that shook every girl who just wanted some affection during the pandemic. A.J. Fortin was discovered singing on the street after his first attempt at a career was a disaster, and...

I finish sipping the last of my acerola-orange juice, my eyes fixed on his, studying, incredulously, the dimples of his cheeky smile.

“A.J. Fortin worked at McDonald's?” I ask, unsure if I understood the Canadian accent correctly.

Talking to A.J. about his past, knowing his reservations about the industry, definitely made me curious, but I never imagined the twists his life had taken.

“It was a slightly more gourmet place,” he corrects me with a smile in his voice. “The upside is that I still make great burgers to this day.”

“I’ll make a note in my agenda just in case I ever need one,” I joke, chewing the last bite of my croissant while watching his reaction.

“It’ll be my pleasure. You brought me here, I’ll cook for you.”

I’m ready to throw a witty retort, but A.J. just watches me, throwing a slightly deflated cheese bread into his mouth without any ulterior motives in his gaze, and I realize this time, it’s not a joke.

“One favor for a favor,” I conclude, nodding. While wiping my fingers with a napkin, I bring up the sensitive topic for both of us. “But how did your family handle this?”

His excited look drops, the euphoric expression fades, and A.J. starts scanning the table with his hand, seemingly searching for something, though even he doesn’t know what it is.

“My parents thought it was crazy to quit college for a dream,” he immediately retorts, pulling the elastic off his wrist, attempting to tie his hair into a bun. His restless hands make the task harder, and he lets out a frustrated sigh after messing up the first try.

“So, you, your parents, music... it’s complicated too?”

I know he either understood or asked Rick about my conversation with Thalia yesterday. It’s better to address the elephant in the room than deal with his pitying looks.

“That’s a great definition,” he says, finally tying his hair up and looking back at me. “But why is it complicated for you?” he asks, deflecting and throwing the question back at me.

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