Page 74 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
She plucks a chocolate-covered strawberry from a tray and smirks. “It’s called being likable.”
“I don’t know,” I tease, grabbing a small plate. “Some people find me likable.”
She hums as if considering. “Debatable.”
I shake my head, taking a bite of a pastry. “Unbelievable. I’m here, being the best fake boyfriend, you’ve ever had, and this is the thanks I get?”
She laughs, reaching for another dessert. “Oh, trust me. You’ll be compensated.”
I arch a brow. “How so?”
She leans in slightly, lowering her voice just enough. “Well, for starters, you get to be seen with me tonight, and everyone gets to see my incredibly handsome, ridiculously talented fake boyfriend.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “So, you admit I’m handsome and talented?”
"That was for the sake of the act. Don’t let it go to your head."
I chuckle, stepping closer, lowering my voice just enough to make her spine straighten. "Too late."
She’s about to fire back with something sassy when I notice the slightest shift in her expression.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Nathan making their way toward us.
Here we go.
Thinking fast, I lean in and murmur, "Quick - laugh like I just said something hilarious."
Her brows knit together. "What…?"
I wink. "C’mon, help me out. Pretend I’m funny."
She opens her mouth, probably to argue, but I add, “I was going to say something smooth, but all I’ve got is: Why don’t skeletons fight each other?”
She blinks. “What?”
“They don’t have the guts.”
For a second, there’s just silence. Then, she snorts. Actually snorts. And that sets her off into full-blown laughter, shoulders shaking as she covers her mouth.
Grinning, I take advantage of the moment, lifting her hand and pressing a slow, exaggerated kiss to her knuckles. “See?” I murmur…, “Teamwork.”
Her laughter softens, but her eyes are bright. “That was terrible.”
“Terribly effective,” I shot back. “And by the way, you have frosting on your lip,” I say casually.
She frowns, dabbing at the wrong side. “Where?”
I shake my head. “Other side.”
She tries again, but she still misses it.
With a low chuckle, I reach up and gently swipe my thumb over the corner of her mouth, erasing the smudge of frosting. Before she can react, I lick it off my thumb.
Her breath hitches.
Her cheeks turn the faintest shade of pink.
Yeah. That’s a reaction I was expecting.
