Page 67 of The One I Hate
“Silly!” I pretend to overreact as I pull off some modeling moves perfected inZoolander.“You told me to wear this!”
“I didn’t think you’d wearallpink. I love pink. But that’s a lot Uncle Simon.”
“Nonsense,” I say, kneeling back down. “There is no such thing as too much pink. I personally love pink.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Boys don’t like pink.”
I gasp. “Who said?”
She shrugs. “Boys at school.”
“Well, they just haven’t learned yet.” I lean in to whisper to her. “You tell them next time that real men not only like, but wear, pink. And don’t you ever forget that.”
She nods her head firmly. “Got it.”
“Hey,” I hurry and grab my phone. “Selfie time!”
This isn’t the first selfie I’ve taken with this child, and I hope like hell it’s not going to be the last. We have a whole album. She assumes her position, always on my right side, as we take ourstandard three selfies—one smiling, one silly, and one with duck faces.
I do an awesome duck face.
“Perfect,” I say, kissing her head. “Now you go and have fun while you wait for dinner to come out.”
“Okay!” She says, planting a kiss on my cheek. “Can you play my favorite song?”
“Of course. But only if you promise to save me a dance later.”
“Deal,” she says before skipping back to the dance floor. I can’t help but smile as I watch the little girl who has had me wrapped around her finger since the day I met her take over the dance floor without an ounce of fear or self-consciousness. Since dinner hasn’t been served, no one is on it right now. She doesn’t care. She’s out there shaking it off just like the song I’m playing for her says to.
She might not be my kid by blood, but she sure as hell takes after her Uncle Simon.
I make sure I have the dinner music cued and ready when out of the corner of my eye, I see someone staring at me. I don’t even have to turn my head to know it’s Charlie. I’d know that curvy body anywhere.
You’d think now that I see her every day I’d start becoming immune to it. Quite the opposite. The more I see her, the more I want to find a hidden spot so we can do all the things we didn’t get to do during our night together.
Then I remember I currently hate her. Which is really inconvenient. Because we could be having phenomenal sex.
But wait, what is she doing here? I knew that Oliver and Izzy went with her former restaurant for the food tonight, but I didn’t think she was working there anymore. She’s been in Rolling Hills every day for the past two weeks. I should know. I make sure to see her—and hound her—every day. And by the little that I can see without turning my head, she’s in her full chef gear.
“Take a picture, Bug. It will last longer.”
I see her jump a little, which of course puts a smile on my face. I pull the lapels of my pink jacket and adjust my black tie as I slowly turn toward her. Before I can approach, she’s already trying to walk away.
“Were you staring, Bug?” I say before she can get too far. “I heard that the sight of a man with a child is sexy. Do you think I’m sexy? You think I’m sexy!”
I see her let out a huff before turning back to me. “I wasn’t staring. And you’re not as sexy as you think.”
I wiggle my eyebrows. “But you think I’m a little sexy?”
Her face is angry and beautiful, and I have to make myself not grab her and kiss it. The conflicting feelings that go through my head every time I’m around this woman are maddening.
“Goodbye, Simon.”
She turns to walk away, but I hurry and jump in front of her. “What are you doing here? Are you working? Why are you working? I thought you were in Rolling Hills full time now? Also you never answered if you think I’m a little sexy.”
“Why do you always ask me so many questions?”
“I’m a curious person.”
