Page 27 of One of Them Girls

I read the texts first.

Avi: Too much?

Avi: Adra??

Clicking out of his message, I see the other four messages are from Mara. I ignore her.

Looking at the missed call, I see it’s from Xavier. Pressing redial, I put the phone to my ear.

“I’m sorry.”

His voice is like a calming balm to my anger.

“Avi, there’s no reason to be sorry.”

“Really? You kind of dipped out on me.”

“It has nothing to do with you. I had a confrontation with Mara on the walk home.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Mara is the chick from the bar, right?”

“Yeah.” My body tenses at the fact he remembers her.

“I didn’t like that she let you walk out the door with a stranger. I’m sorry that you had an argument with her, though. Want to talk about it?”

The tension leaves me at his words. “You didn’t like her?”

“Hell no. I mean, she’s not really my type, anyway. Too showy. She seems like she would be twenty-four-seven drama.”

I chuckle. “You have her pegged. She sure likes you though.”

I bite my lip, waiting for his response.

“She’s not really my type.”

“What’s your type?” I don’t miss how my voice sounds huskier.

He hums for a moment before answering. “I’d say I’m attracted to blonde hair, blue eyes, with an ass to die for. Too bad they are always so mouthy.”

“Hey, I’m not mouthy,” I protest, my heart stuttering in my chest at his words.

“Who said I was talking about you, Adra?”

My stomach drops. “I mean, you said blonde with blue eyes, so I just…” I trail off.

He chuckles. “I’m kidding. You’re the only blonde hair blue-eyed girl I talk to. Besides, despite your protest, you are totally mouthy as fuck. Your protest only proves my point.”

“I really want to argue, but I feel like that would be digging the hole deeper, so instead, I am going to change the subject.”

“Sure, quit before you lose. I get what you’re doing. Since we are changing the subject, how about you answer my question.”

“What was that?”

“What does it take to get a woman?” His voice drops a couple of octaves.

My skin heats.

“Well, it depends on the type of woman. If you’re looking for one like Mara, well, you already have it all. All you need to do is crook your finger at her and she’ll come.”

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