Page 70 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“I’m as cold as anyone else. I runaverage.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
“What makes you so sure? You don’t know anything about me.”
I expect Ozan to come up with a retort. It never comes. He looks over my head—easy to do, considering he towers over me.
“Ozan?” I tug at his shirt. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t look.” He turns his attention back to me. Panic registers in his round eyes. “It’s Vanessa.”
“Who?”
“My ex.”
“Oh.”
Oh…
Not only did I tear her a new one in hopes of defending his honor, but… she’s here. Great.
I know how this looks. It seems like we’retogether, or at least that I have feelings for him. He doesn’t want to be seen with me. When you’retrying to impress your tall, hot, modelesque ex-wife, you don’t use me for the job.
No, I’m not another self-loathing fat woman. Ozan would be lucky to have me on his arm.
I don’twantto be used to make her jealous, thank you very much. Still, Vanessa and I cannot be compared, and that is a fact. We’re like day and night, and?—
“Can we kiss?” Ozan blurts out.
His words are jarring—not because the idea revolts me, but because they’re the opposite of what I expect to come from his mouth. He should step away from me or do something to make it clear we’re platonic.
Instead, he’s asking to kiss me. The drink in my hand shakes. My heart pounds.
“What?” I breathe.
“I want her to think I moved on. I know, it’s stupid?—”
“Did you?”
“Did I what?”
“Move on?” I step closer.
I don’t want to be used by anyone, foranyreason, including making someone jealous. This is for me. I wouldloveto make Vanessa’s blood boil. I think she deserves it, and if there’s one thing I enjoy, it’s dishing out justice.
“I’m trying to move on,” he says. “Her being here is…” He shakes his head.
Then, he hasn’t moved on. My stomach flips and sinks.
Ozan must really need my help.
“Good,” I say. “Keep trying.”
I grab a fistful of his shirt. When I pull him in, his eyes register surprise, but there’s no reluctance. His expression melts as he leans down to kiss me, bridging the foot of distance between us.
His beard grazes against my skin. It’s the first sensation Ifeel, and it’s not unpleasant, but it’s nothing compared to his soft lips on mine.
We’re hesitant at first. My eyes droop shut, and my head tilts to the side as our lips slot together.
