Page 15 of Kismet

“Yes, please,” Cash drawls. “Two more shots of Jack, please and thank you, darlin’.”

Just like in the car on our way here, there’s a slight twang in his voice that I haven’t heard before.

“Sure thing, babe. Be right back with those. Your pizza should be out soon, as well.”

He watches her walk away before dragging his gaze back to me. “I’m Italian. My mother was born here, but my father moved here when he was a teenager. They also met in high school.”

“High school sweethearts… very cool. And they’re still together?”

“They are, happily.” He takes a big swig of his drink as Lindsey returns with our shots and the pizza. They have some of the best pizza I’ve ever had on the west coast. Every time I’m in town, I come here.

“Here you guys go. Can I get you anything else while I’m here?”

“No, I think we’re—”

I’m cut off mid-sentence by Cash,the lush. “May as well bring us two more of these.” He lifts the shot glass in the air, tossing me a shit-eating grin and a wink.

I can’t help but laugh as our server walks away. “You really are trouble, aren’t you?”

“I prefer the termfun.” Pushing one of the shots across the table toward me, he picks his up, lifting it and dramatically clearing his throat for a toast. “To more whiskey, because those choices aren’t questionable enough yet.” His shot glass clanks on the table before he tosses it back.

Following suit, I throw mine back, the whiskey leaving a trail of burning desire on its way down.

“What about you?” he asks, grabbing a slice of pizza and taking a bite.

I lift a brow at him. “What about me?”

“Your parents. They still together?”

I should’ve known this was coming, what with us talking about his parents. Truthfully, I normally don’t mind questions about my folks, but it’s kind of a mood killer. Not that I should be setting any sort of mood with my student, so I may as well answer it.

“Uh, they actually died when I was eighteen.”

His eyes snap to mine, pizza falling onto his plate. “I’m so sorry, Professor Philips. I had no idea.”

“How could you have known? It’s fine. And please… call me Stone. Hey, how’s the pizza? Amazing, right?”

He looks skeptical about changing the subject, but lets it go. “Ya, man. It’s bomb.”

Chapter Five

Cash DeMarco

Way to fucking go, Cash. Ask the one fucking question that’s an immediate buzzkill.

It’s probably for the best, anyway. I’m being entirely too flirty tonight. I mean, I’m naturally like this, I have no trouble picking up chicks or dudes, but he’s my fuckingprofessor, married, and I’ve never acted like this with him, regardless of how attractive I find him… so where’s this coming from?

We leave town, and I suddenly become brash as hell? And that fucking toast. God, the ground could’ve swallowed me whole. Despite how fucking bold I normally am, even I know that’s probably not the best one to use when you’re out to dinner with your professor. It’s my go-to at parties, so I blurted it out without a single thought.

Because that’s how it is around Stone—my brain turns into mush, and I can’t think straight.

“Alright, you two. Here you go.” Lindsey, our server, plops down two full, fresh shots of Jack on the table in front of us. “Enjoy,” she says cheerfully, before turning and walking away.

Well, hell. I’m regretting ordering thosenow. But maybe they’ll lighten the mood. Surely, I can keep shit light, while not flirting too… right? Yeah. It’ll be fine.

Stone picks up his shot glass, a crooked grin plastered on his face. “Shall we?”

Chuckling, I lift the glass, clanking it with his. “What the hell. Cheers!” Tapping the shot on the table, I bring it to my lips, tossing it back as warmth spreads down my throat and into my chest. I’ll for sure be tipsy after this.

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