Page 22 of Second Down Darling

Is he seeing someone already? Am I going to have to watch him date someone new? Or worse, what if he turns into a manwhore and screws his way through ourclass?

He glances up and our eyes meet. I look down and wait until he’s seated to return my attention to Billy, who’s watching mecarefully.

“I can’t do this,” I whisper and blink back the sudden sting in myeyes.

“Do you trustme?”

“No.” We stare at each other a second before we start laughing. I dab at my eyes and tilt my hair, grateful it hides me from the other side of the coffeehouse.

“Look, Chuck, you wanted to practice flirting. Don’t let Ramirez being here turn you into a coward. No offense, but you’re always a little pill with me. Why don’t you show him what you’re really madeof?”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re kind of anasshole?”

“Every day.” He sips his drink. “So what’s it going to be? You gonna show me your sexy moves orwhat?”

I smile, embarrassed, and tuck my head down. “I don’t have any sexy moves. That kiss the other day really was my firstone.”

He clicks his tongue. “That thing you did just now was prettysexy.”

“Whatthing?”

“You blushed and looked up at me all sweet and soft. I digit.”

“But I don’t know how to do that oncommand.”

“That’s probably what’s so enticing. You don’t even realize you’re a littlemorsel.”

“What if I do something dumb? I’ll beembarrassed.”

“Stop caring about what everyone else thinks. You’re wasting your energy on that shit. Do you think I care what people think aboutme?”

I shake myhead.

“Exactly. Now do exactly what I say.” Pretty sure I’m going to regret this, but I nod. He glances over his shoulder at Jake’s table. Jake is facing us, and the girls are sitting on either side of him. It gives us a clear view of him, unfortunately. “Okay, Chuck. I want you to thread your fingers through mine and laugh like I’m funny. I mean, Iamfunny, so this should beeasy.”

“What exactly is this supposed to teachme?”

“Stop stalling and doit.”

God, I’m going to regret this, but I do as he instructs. Reaching across the small table, I thread my fingers through his and try not to squirm from theawkwardness.

He smiles, lifts my hand to his mouth, but pauses. “Thisokay?”

With an embarrassed smile, Inod.

After kissing the back of my hand, he motions to me. “Now laugh. Remember that I’m a handsome dude, the coolest, funniest guy youknow.”

I chuckle, and he shakes hishead.

“That was pathetic. Do it with gusto,Chuck.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes and force out a laugh. It reminds me of Dakota and how her loud laugh always gets everyone’sattention.

I don’t need to look to know Jake is staring at us rightnow.

Squeezing Billy’s giant paw, I whisper, “Did you do this on purpose? Did you know Jake would behere?”

“Remember how I said Jakecares?”

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