Page 23 of Second Down Darling

“Yes.”

“If you could see his expression right now, you’d believe me, but don’t look now or you’ll ruin the moment. Keep staring into my eyes. Make me believe you likeme.”

“Don’t make thisweird.”

He studies me so intently, it makes me uncomfortable. “If you just had some confidence, Chuck, you’d be a stone-cold fox. You have gorgeous eyes. A beautiful face. A hot little body. A sassy personality that bites back when provoked. All good things. How’s that forweird?”

My face heats, and I look away, another awkward chuckle leaving my lips. “Stop pretending you likeme.”

“I’m not pretending at all. I’d totally fuck you through your headboard if given the opportunity, but I get the feeling you’re into someoneelse.”

Ugh. “Roxy toldyou?”

“She didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face. You don’t givemethose sad puppy dog eyes. Ramirez is the lucky bastard,huh?”

I brave a glance at his table. The blonde has her hand on Jake’s arm. He’s smiling at her, and she laughs. It’s so loud, everyone, predictably, turns to look at her. Then she leans close to him and whispers something in his ear that makes his cheeksflush.

Seriously, fuck Jake and all the reasons he’s made me cry over the years. I’m sodone.

Exasperated, I turn to Billy. “I’m not waiting around for Jake. I’m more than ready to moveon.”

“We’ll see about that. Oh, shit. Come on. Hurry.” He yanks me out of my chair and hustles me to the door, where we practically ram into Jake and his two dates. “Ramirez, hey. Funny seeing youhere.”

“Remarkable, really,” he says dryly. “Did you sign up to babysittoo?”

Billy chuckles. “No, but I’m thinking Charlotte here would be great with yourkid.”

I close my eyes. Right now, I truly hate my life. Why would Billy say that? “I don’t know,Billy—”

“Nah, we’re cool,” Jake says, interrupting me. His expression is cool as he tilts his head toward the girls. “Buffy and Yvette have offered to watchAsher.”

Billy leans forward. “Did you say your name is Buffy? As in,The VampireSlayer?”

She giggles and leans into Jake. “What can I say? I’m good with bigsticks.”

“Of course you are, lovely.” Billy winks at her, and I roll my eyes as he turns to Jake. “Buffy and Yvette look like they have atonof childcare experience. Kudos, man. Looks like you have two very responsible babysitters. You and your big stick will be allset.”

He did not just saythat.

Yvette, the blonde, steps up to Jake and winds her arm through his. “Don’t worry. We’ll dowhateverJakeneeds.”

I laugh, unamused. “I bet you will,” I say under my breath as I drag Billy through thedoor.

I’ve practiced flirting enough for onenight.

9

CHARLOTTE

For the love of God.“Duke, please poop. Please.” I swat at the mosquito gnawing on myarm.

Duke and I have been walking down the road for the last forty minutes, and he’s yet to do number two. If he doesn’t take a dump now, he’ll do it tonight in the corner of my bedroom. I speak fromexperience.

I’ve been so wrapped up in my own head, thinking about seeing Jake at the coffee shop with his twobabysitterslast week, that I don’t realize how far we’ve gone until I look around and realize the road is deserted. There’s a housing development on one side that’s still several months from being done, and a forest on the other. Except for the sound of crickets, it’s silent. Still. Andverydark.

“Duke, this is creepy. Hurry and poop, so we can go home.” I turn him around and cross the street to the forested side. Maybe he’ll sniff out a good place to crap on the wayback.

He finally squats and does hisbusiness.

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