Page 37 of Filthy Little Pretties
“Change the subject or I’m walking home.”
Liar.
“Cool your jets. Okay… Tell me something, anything you did in the last five years.”
“God, it would be easier to do that in reverse. I lived too big, too loud, too much, Grey. Which is why I’d prefer to stay single and under the radar now. It’s the straight and narrow for me.”
“What does that mean?”
She shrugs and smiles coyly, taking another swig of her Coke.
“You aren’t going to tell me, are you?”
“Probably not.”
I take the final bite of my food and stretch my arm out across the back of the seat, thinking of what to ask her.
“Then tell me about something you miss.”
Donovan’s entire face lights up. She licks some ketchup off her finger, and my eyes fix to the pad of it, wanting to taste it too, but her words call my attention.
“Oh, that’s easy. The water. I loved living on the sea. Don’t get me wrong, New York is incredible, but there’s something spiritual about being by the water.”
“Would you go back?”
She shakes her head, brushing her hands together after taking her last bite.
“No. Especially now. Being back with you and Liam, it’s been just what I needed.”
I like hearing that. I want her to need me. She sweeps her lap and grins at me. “Okay, your turn. Tell me something unexpected that you’ve done in the last five years.”
I open my mouth to answer when The Cure fills my car. Donovan holds up a finger and digs inside that monster bag of hers, retrieving her cell and, apparently, a frown because her whole face is turned down as she stares at the screen.
“Are you going to answer it?”
She looks to me, her eyes unsure, but she hits the Accept button and puts the phone to her ear.
“Father.”
My eyes are fixed on her, even though she turns her shoulders slightly, trying for privacy.
“Yes, I’m aware. I’m with friends, Grey and Liam.”
Whatever he’s saying to her has her entire body tensed.
“I understand. Trust me, your disappointment rings loud and clear.”
Disappointment? What the hell could he be disappointed by? She’s incredible. Her fingers make way to her wrist and fidget with her bracelets. It’s something she does when she’s nervous and uneasy. I don’t even have to hear what her father is saying to know that I don’t like it.
“Yep. Got it. I’ll try really hard not to come home knocked up by a local or embroiled in national scandal… No promises, though, if one of those British princes shows up.”
My lips tip up at her sarcasm.That’s my girl. Never let them get the best of you.
Donovan pulls the phone from her ear, the screen already dark. He must have hung up. She smiles at me to hide her embarrassment, but I see it.
“Hey, don’t do that.”
Her head turns toward her door, but I reach out and grab her chin, forcing her back to face me. “You don’t ever have to do that with me. Not with me, Donovan.”
