Page 182 of Becoming Us
“No, that’s it.”
My eyes widened. “Your last name isKing? Your fucking name is AtticusKing?”
He nodded.
I couldn’t help it. I laughed—loud, full, ridiculous laughter. This guy seriously couldn’t be any more perfect.
“Yeah, that’s my name,” he said, while I struggled to stop.
He knew I wasn’t laughing at him, though. A second later, he let out a quiet, sweet little laugh of his own—low and soft despite the deep pitch of his voice. He arched a brow, pressed his lips together, and shook his head slightly.
“You’re unreal,” I said. “I’m not calling youKing, that’s for fucking sure.”
That got another laugh out of him.
I looked him over. I couldn’t exactly call himhandsomeorsweetheart—that would’ve been way too much for someone like him.Attfelt too generic. I hated the idea of blending in with everyone else in his life. I wanted to stand out.
I ran my tongue slowly over my bottom lip and watched his eyes track the movement.
“Atty,” I tried out, the name curling off my tongue.
His eyes widened.
Yeah. That was the one.
“That suits you.” I smiled, slow and certain.
“How?” he asked with a half-laugh, though his gaze gave him away. He liked it.
“I don’t know, Atty. It’s pretty adorable—you’re adorable.”
He chuckled. “I’m adorable?”
The dimples just kept on coming. I wondered if anyone else had ever gotten him to open up like this. Had I actually managed to make a dent in that wall?
“You are.”
“I don’t think anybody’s ever called me that before.”
I bet that was true. It was easy to focus on the scowls, and maybe sometimes the good boy shone through too—but I was guessing that the softness I could see was rare. I took a leap and made a call.
“I can tell you’re sweet.”
His brows lifted, just barely.
I grinned to myself.Bingo.
He didn’t respond. Just stared.
“How aboutAtty? Nobody’s ever called you that?” I pressed, curious now.
He looked away, embarrassment creeping over his face. Who was it?
“I don’t want to say.”
I laughed quietly. Old girlfriend? Hopefully an ex-boyfriend.
I reached out and grabbed the collar of his shirt, giving it a playful tug. “Tell me.”
