Page 39 of Girls Will Be Girls
“I’ll be your fake fiancé any day.” He smiles. “Come on.” He ushers me by the arm. “Before he comes looking for a threesome.”
I snort a laugh out, clearly still hysterical. “No offense, but I don’t think he likes you.”
“Nah, he’s just using you to get to me.”
I force myself not to laugh again.
We start walking the short distance back, and it doesn’t take long for me to bring Lou down with me. We’re venturing straight into the rabbit hole of loopy.
“He flinched so hard when you slapped his shoulder.” I laugh.
“I didn’tslaphim.” He defends. “But he did not like that.” We burst into laughing fits again.
“I wonder if Willie would’ve rescued you if he punched you?” I say.
He narrows his eyes at me. “I’m offended you think I’d need rescuing.” He extends his arm, brushing the base of my back for a split second as he guides us onto the path leading down to our lodge. “But I do think Willie could beat any of us to a pulp.” He continues. “Not me, though. He loves me.”
I raise a brow at him. “You know this, how?”
Lou grins at me like some sexy version of the Cheshire Cat. “I can tell.”
I roll my eyes at him. “You probably just think everyone loves you.”
He stops walking for a second and gestures at himself dramatically. “Who wouldn’t? I’m adorable.”
“You’re cocky, is what you are.”
He does his trademark grin, the one where the corners of his eyes scrunch up a little, his dimple pops like a homing beacon, and I’m annoyed that I do find him stupidly adorable.
“Remember when he called you baby girl?” Lou bites his cheek.
I groan. “Ugh, oh god.” I make a gagging sound.
“Do you think he calls his daughter that, too?”
“Uuugh, stop it!” I gag again. “That’s disgusting!”
“Don’t be judgmental, baby girl.” He drawls out.
“Stop.”
“It’s a sexy nickname.” He grins mischievously.
“Please.”
“Come on, baby girl…” He drawls again with a deep, raspy tone this time, doing something to me it really, truly shouldn’t.
“You’re so annoying.” I laugh nervously to hide the effect his voice has on me as we reach my door.
Lou stands a few feet in front of me, his eyes drawing a path down my face, from my eyes to my lips and back.
“I’m finding that I really like annoying you.” He smirks.
“You’re saying you like making me mad?” I say amused.
“Not mad.”
His finger touches mine for the fastest of split seconds in the most gentle stroke. It feels as fast as a match against a matchbook. It’s like he ignited a fuse. He lit up the tiny thread between us, and now fireworks are going off inside me.
