Page 35 of Average Joe

However, I’d been in a mood since I’d planted that kiss on Marley. Add to that the stress of digging through Alice’s nonsense, and—kill me please—discovering that Marley starred in perverted coffee fantasies of countless men, best to steer clear of the general population. And because my ill temper was a danger to those around me, I was also in the zone, meaning zoning everyone out, which was why, when I turned the corner to the toilet paper aisle, I crashed into an unsuspecting shopper.

My emotional state flipped from dark to brilliant in a blink.

“Oh, jeez,” Marley blurted, her gaze glued to my chest. She swallowed, then lifted stormy eyes to mine.

“Hey, neighbor.” Yeah, that greeting might’ve come out too loud, my voice an octave too high, but the woman knocked me off my game. “Sorry. Wasn’t paying attention.”

“Obviously.” She backed her cart away and moved to go around mine, her chin held high, shoulders set in defiance. Clearly, she was upset with yours truly again.

“How was the date?” I teased because, apparently, I was twelve.

Marley stopped, her shoulders going rigid. Slow and steady, she turned to face me, and shit, if looks could kill, I’d lay dead next to a row of Charmin.

“You didn’t tell me I had lipstick smeared all over my face. I went through security, walked past hundreds of people on the way to my seat, wondering why I was getting funny looks.” She squeezed the handle of her cart with one hand and planted the other, fisted, on her hip. “My girlfriend laughed so hard she ruined her own makeup. Then I had to explain to everyone why I looked like a toddler who’d stolen Revlon outta her mamma’s handbag.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “Be honest, you were thinking about my mouth and tongue all night.” Not the least bit sorry, I taunted further. “You woke with a lady boner thinking about me, didn’t you?”

“God, you’re so…” She fought a smile, shaking her head. “Such an asshole.”

Shrugging, I conceded. “I’m sorry for not telling you about the smudged lipstick.” I stepped closer because I had no choice. “Figured you’d check yourself in the rearview at some point.”

“Whatever,” she huffed, moving away, the swing of her hips making me dizzy.

“It was a great kiss, though, right?” I yelled after her, then when she didn’t respond, I grabbed my two-ply and continued checking shit off my list. Only, fuck, I couldn’t stop grinning.

When I reached the deli counter, I found Marley in line behind a woman with purple hair, facial piercings, and ink from collarbone to Doc Martens. The artwork would have been worth a good gander had I been able to tear my gaze from my neighbor.

Sidling next to Marley, I cleared my throat and braved the question, “So, if you’re over being mad, I have a favor to ask.”

“Sure.” She stared straight ahead, though her body leaned in my direction. “What is it?”

“I have a function to attend tonight. Lotta people. I don’t do well in crowds. Would you be my plus-one? I promise I won’t mess your lipstick.”

She stepped back, her ass bumping the cart behind her. “Oh, sorry,” she said over her shoulder.

A man with dark hair and darker eyes scanned the length of her, his assessment predatory. “No worries.”

The guy clearly thought I wasn’t a threat, judging by how he pretended to be busy with his cell but braved leers at her ass.

“Why do you have trouble in crowds?” she asked, face now lifted, focused on me with a curiosity I hadn’t expected but cherished nonetheless.

And although she ignored my question and zeroed in on my vulnerability, I didn’t feel attacked or rejected but was instead forced to ponder an issue I’d never given much thought to. Before “serving time,” I’d had no problem with social settings.

“The whole prison thing, I think,” I answered, loud enough for the dipshit behind us to hear. My intention hit the mark, drawing his attention from her luscious ass to the tats on my arms.

“The prison thing.” She gnawed her bottom lip, nodding, her gaze losing focus.

Shit. Wrong move. Why the fuck had I mentioned lockup?

“I, um…” She hit me with a sweet smile. “I have plans already. I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” I nodded. “Another date?”

“A birthday celebration.”

Purple hair stepped to the counter and recited her order.

Marley and I stepped ahead in sync.

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