Page 66 of Can't Text This

“He is not,” Robbie says. “He is, however, very curious to hear how you’re going to explain this one.”

“Robert!” I hiss at him.

“Montana!” He laughs back.

“I am two seconds away from throwing this drink on you.”

His eyes darken, but not in a menacing way—no, it’ssexual. “You don’t even want to know the thoughts that just ran through my mind.”

I gulp and take a step back—not because I’m afraid of Robbie but because I’m afraid of what I’ll do if I stand too close with him looking at me the way he is.

Denver lets out a low growl. “Would someone just explain things, please? I’m getting annoyed and I want to slap this asshat already.”

“Why am I getting slapped?” Robbie asks. Then he shakes his head and waves his hand. “No, no. We’ll come back to that. Monty first.”

“I hate you,” I grumble.

He snickers. “Liar.”

“Monty.” Denver says my name with fire in her tone, and I know she’s reaching her last nerve.

“I’m with her,” the girl says, pointing at my sister. “I have no idea what’s going on right now and I want to know.”

“Fine!” The single word nearly explodes out of me. I point at Robbie. “This guy stalked me at the mall last week and dragged me out of a store tokissme while I was wearing a pair of shoes I stole.Hemade me steal!”

Robbie sits there with a satisfied grin on his face and the girl laughs, slapping him on the back.

“You’re incorrigible, Robbie. Reminds me of something Caleb would do.”

“Who’s Caleb?” I ask.

The girl stands and extends her hand my way with a smile. “Hi, I’m Zoe, one of Robbie’s best friends. Though Robbie never told me he made you into a thief, he has told me a lot about you. It’s great to finally meet you, Monty.”

“I…I…”

“Thought this was a date or something? No, gross. Robbie’s like a brother,andhe’s a dad.” She shakes like she’s disgusted. “As cute as his spawn is, I don’t do kids.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Zoe.”

Denny makes a noise and scrunches her face. “So, you’re not a ho?”

Zoe barks out a laugh. “Not anymore.”

“So I don’t get to slap you?”

Robbie crosses his arms over his chest, brow arched, lips turned down. “Afraid not. Maybe next time though?”

A smile stretches across my sister’s lips. She likes that answer, and she’s so falling for all of Robbie’s charms. “Sounds like a good time to me.” She grabs her shot and vodka tonic. “I’ll be taking my leave then, let you two catch up.”

As she turns, Zoe says, “Care if I join?”

“Not at all. I need the secrets on how you get your hair like that.”

“Birth, girl. It was birth.”

“Shut up! I love it. I want mine…”

The rest of their conversation is swallowed by the crowd as they find another table to take over.

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