Page 32 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

A frown appears between her brows, and I almost regret my words, almost but not quite. She would see my bullshit for what it is. “I guess you’re right.”

“So…” I try my best to stretch my legs in the limited space there is. My body is growing stiff from all the sitting. I tilt my head to the screen where the movie is still playing, not like either of us is paying any attention to it. “You really like that stuff, huh?”

“It’s fun.” Jessy shrugs, her eyes falling down to the popcorn. “Mostly in a really lame and that’s-so-stupid-nobody-sane-would-ever-fall-for-it way, but fun still. What do you like to watch?”

I think about it for a moment. “Does ESPN count?”

“You boys and sports.” Jessy rolls her eyes, but a small smile is tugging at her lips.

“I might also have a thing for superhero movies,” I admit, wanting to give her something back. Knowing she needs it if I want her to open up to me. I don’t know why it matters, but it does.

“Marvel or DC?”

This time I’m the one rolling my eyes. “Why do people always assume it’s one or the other? Can’t I like both?”

“Do you?”

“Yes!”

“Fine.” She lifts her hands in the air in surrender. “I’m just asking, no need to scowl at me like that.”

I grab her hands and pull them down, keeping them clasped between mine. “They’re both good in their own way. When I was younger I was really into comics. I think I still have them all stashed somewhere since my mom doesn’t like to throw anything out.”

Jessy laughs, the sound echoing in the small cab of the car. “Blame it on the mother, why doncha? I bet you’re still reading them occasionally.”

I might give them a peek every now and then, but there is no way I’ll admit to it now.

“You’re insane.”

“Mm-hmm… Then why are you suddenly blushing?” she teases, one of her hands slipping out of my grasp and pushing against my chest almost playfully. I catch it before she can do it again.

“It’s darker than a rat’s ass in here. There is no way you can see if I’m blushing or not.”

She turns to me, the movie all but forgotten, and points her finger at me. “But you didn’t say you weren’t blushing, now did you?”

Shaking my head at her, I look down. Her hands are small, so small my palms cover them completely, fingers long and slender. I slide my palms against hers, feeling the softness of her skin.

“You’re delusional.”

I interlace our fingers, lifting my eyes to look at her.

“You only wish.”

The light is dim, the only thing reflecting it is the big screen in front of us, but I swear I can see her eyes dancing with mischief. It’s surreal, seeing her like this. So cheerful and happy. It’s like watching a completely different person. This is a softer side of Jessica Bryant I haven’t seen before, at least not directed at me, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t like it. Because I do. I like it a lot.

“Do you at least have a favorite?”

“Sure, Iron Man is my favorite.”

I slide my thumb over her wrist, feeling the way her skin pebbles underneath my touch. Her whole body shudders, but she doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t tell me to stop or let go.

“And then you say you don’t have a preference between Marvel and DC.”

“I don’t.” I burst into laughter. “But if I had to choose just one superhero, Iron Man would be it.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

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