Page 89 of Summer Ever After
I’m greeted with a pointed stare. “You’re only saying that because you know what I was hoping for out of that moment.”
I shake my head, roaming my eyes over her. “No, you look incredible.”
She bites her bottom lip, fidgeting with her napkin. “We should probably talk about your role in phase two of the date before Dustin gets back.” Her eyes swing to the bar, checking on him.
“The part where I make him jealous? How exactly is this supposed to go down?”
“I’m not entirely sure. But there are some key phrases that men in romance books say during moments of jealousy. If we could get Dustin to say one of those, we’d be golden.”
“Okay, what are the phrases so I know what to do to lead him there?”
“Well, the goal is to bring out his protective, possessive side, encouraging him to say something like, ‘Who did this to you?’” She frowns, thinking about that one for a second. “Never mind. That one doesn’t really happen during a jealous moment. But if he could say something like, ‘That’s my girl! Hands off!’ I think that would work, right?”
“I’m not really sure how flirting with you is going to get Dustin to a point where he’d say something like that.” I suppress my smile, knowing that if I let her see my amusement, she’ll get irritated and call the whole thing off.
“Don’t worry. I’ll lay the foundation. You’ll know when it’s time.”
“What? How will I know?”
“I’ll tap my fingers on the table to signal it’s time for you to make your move.”
“Make my move? I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do.”
“Just improvise. You’ll figure it out.” She shifts her eyes to the bar. “Okay, he’s coming. Act natural.”
Act natural?
Nothing about this situation is natural, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t glad to be part of her plans.
“Here you go.” Dustin sets her drink in front of her as he takes his seat.
“Thank you.” Her smile is ridiculously big. “I love when men take care of me like that.”
“Oh, yeah?” He leans forward, showing signs of interest.
Jane leans in too, lifting her shoulder in a flirtatious way. “Do you know what else I like?” The corner of her mouth lifts seductively, churning my stomach. “I like it when a man is confident and stands up for his woman. Like if someone is harassing her, he steps in all possessive-like.”
“Really?” Dustin leans closer, as if reacting to Jane’s magnetic pull. I want to yank him by his collar just to separate them. “I wouldn’t have taken you for the type of woman who’d like that sort of thing.”
“Ilovethe alpha male. It’s a total turn-on.”
“Some people have said I have a hot temper, but I feel like I’m just protective of the ones I care about.”
She shrugs, seducing him with her sexy shoulders. “Yeah, I say the more protective and possessive, the better. It should be clear at all times whose girl I am so nobody dares mess with that.”
Oh, brother.I roll my eyes, feeling my own jealousy roar to life.
Dustin skims his fingers over her forearm, like all this talk is actually turning him on. “I like that too.”
Dude, that’s enough of that.
“Hey, Dustin?” I pop my head into their space with an innocent smile. “Can I borrow your salt? Nothing’s coming out of my mine.”
Dustin jerks back in surprise, as if he forgot he was in a crowded restaurant. I’m more than happy to remind him. My eyes dart to Jane and her lowered brows. She’s clearly not happy I stepped in before the signal.
“Here.” He hands me the salt, a touch of irritation in his eyes. His attention immediately turns back to Jane as if I was never there. “What else do you like in a man?”
He grabs the tips of her fingers, breaching the physical barrier even more.
