Page 17 of Love Me Like It's Real
He smirks and leans even closer. “Really? Then may I interest you in a—” he starts but I never get to hear his proposal.
Was it going to be indecent? I’ll die wondering.
“Jack Hayworth! What on earth are you doing there?” Agnes is standing behind me and when I turn to look at her, her eyes are slits of fire glaring at my “speed-date.”
“Hi, Agnes!” he says, sinking lower into his seat.
“I don’t remember signing you in. Are you here to cause chaos again?”
“Me? Chaos? Just truth.” He smirks and takes his cap off, giving me an uninterrupted view of his eyes. They are gorgeous. They also make him look extremely naughty and I can’t help but lick my lips. He’s sinful.
“And would your truth have anything to do with dissing love?”
“It does,” I say with a very tattletale expression on my face.
When I glance at Jack Hayworth he’s gasping in shock at me and I can’t help but grin.
“I won’t tolerate your BS, young man. Now either get with the program or get out,” Agnes raises her voice and some of the other tables turn to look at her.
“If by BS you mean how love is nothing but corporate greed dressed up as a fairy tale then you’re right. Love is BS,” he also raises his voice and turns to the other patrons.
“Well, well, well, you’re a bad boy, aren’t you?” I all but purr.
“The baddest!” Agnes screeches. “Out, Hayworth. You won’t ruin this event for everyone.”
Hayworth puts his hands up and gets out of his seat.
“Fine. But I want you all to know when your lovers turn out to be assholes I’ll be here to tell you I told you so. Down with love. Join the Anti-Valentine Club and celebrate the end of heartbreak!”
I can’t help it. I laugh.
“You’re the baddest boy,” I mumble as he’s being dragged out by Agnes.
Hayworth turns around. “What can I say? Everyone loves a bad boy. But only for a night. Because this boy is not up for grabs.” He winks at me and I’m left watching the kerfuffle he’s caused and wonder if that was a statement or an offer.
And would I care if it was the latter?
Yes. So much yes. Who wouldn’t want a night under the sheets with a chiseled Greek god? At least he came with a warning. He was only good for a night. And my guess was he was very good at that.
The bell rings marking the end of the three minutes and my return to reality.
Yeah, keep on dreaming Felix. You’re not a slut. You’re a dad. And you need to focus on raising your girls and giving them a safe home to be their best selves.
And with that thought, I decide to give up on this hopeless endeavor and go back home before I do something stupid.
Like get wasted and go in search of Hayworth or any willing hunk in town.
FIVE
HAYWORTH
I look back.
Nothing.
I look again.
Still nothing.
