Page 180 of Hooking Up
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Walker
Istretch my arms over my head as a yawn escapes my lips. I can't remember the last time I was tired from staying up talking.
There's something intoxicating about Iris. I want to wipe away every hint of pain in those gorgeous blue eyes. I want to destroy whoever or whatever caused that ache.
She deserves a life without hurt.
She deserves the entire fucking world.
I finish checking out my customer, give him the usual aftercare speech, head straight to the single cup coffee maker in the back. It's mediocre, but I need the caffeine.
"Oooh, make me one please," Leighton calls out from her spot at the counter. She presses her hands together—well, her Kindle is between them, but close enough—and shoots me puppy dog eyes.
"You ever get tired of begging?"
Her lips curl into a half smile. "You read my journal too?"
"You don't have a journal."
"That's what you think." She winks. "French Roast. Please. I'll love you forever."
"You won't now?"
She laughs. "Who knows?"
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
"You're always in a good mood."
No, I always seem like I'm in a good mood. But the distinction doesn't matter to me at the moment. Everything feels light. Mom's going to put her foot down with Bree. My schedule is filled with badass tattoos. And Iris is… fuck, Iris is everything.
This must be why Brendon is so fucking obnoxious all the time.
I finish my cup then make one for Leighton. I even fix it the way she likes—one packet of half and half and one of raw sugar.
She sighs with anticipation as I hand it over. Slowly, she brings it to her lips—she isn't wearing lipstick today, which is weird—and takes a sip.
Her sigh is heavy, needy. "Mmm. Better than sex."
"It's been too long since you've had sex."
She shoots me a cutting look. "You think I'm not aware of that?"
"I'm not the one comparing shitty coffee to sex."
"It's decent coffee."
"Been too long since you've had good coffee."
"Cocky now that you have a girlfriend."
"'Cause I was hurting for sex before?"
"Please. You're different about it lately."
"I am not." No, I am.
