Page 24 of The 21-Day Boyfriend
I wish I could concentrate only on his eyes, but I can’t stop staring at his mouth: the same mouth I just felt on mine. The same mouth I tasted with unexpected pleasure, the mouth I wish I could taste again, just for a second – just for one more chance to work out whether I missed something in the heat of the moment.
“I thought you understood.”
“Understood what?”
“That I was going to do it again.”
“I thought that was an exception.”
“It was. But I never said it would be the only one.”
I scratch my head, confused.
“I thought we’d agreed that this was just for one night.”
“The night isn’t over yet. You’re still my date.”
“Are you telling me that there might be other exceptions?” My voice lifts a little. I realise this. But he doesn’t. He simply shrugs.
“And could I possibly know where and when these exceptions will be taking place?”
“Do you want a list?”
“I’d appreciate that, yes.”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not the sort of guy who plans things. And when I try…” He sighs, shaking his head. “It always ends up going worse.”
“Are you telling me you’re going to surprise me with this… Again?”
“It’s more spontaneous if you don’t know when to expect it. It makes everything more… Real.”
Right. I’d forgotten for a second that we’re just pretending to be together. Even though the kiss was fake, it felt pretty realistic to me.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather just stick to the rules.”
“Mmm?”
“You said no kissing.”
“I made the rules, and I get to decide whether or not to break them.”
“You can’t just go around kissing people whenever you feel like it, without warning.”
“I didn’t go around kissing the first guy I saw. I kissed you.”
My ears know that there’s no meaning behind his words, but try telling the rest of my body that.
“Only to make someone else jealous.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You used me.”
“Used you? I thought you knew exactly what you were getting yourself into when you agreed to come to this event with me.”
“Actually, no. You were never very clear. I thought I was supposed to have dinner with potential investors, not pretend to be your boyfriend to show your ex that you’ve moved on just like he has.”
Maybe I’ve gone too far; I can tell by his hard expression, his tight jaw.
