Page 31 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

“You’re one bloodthirsty woman.”

I point my finger at him. “You better remember that.”

I lift my gaze and am met with his baby blues staring right at me. I didn’t even realize how close we were up until this moment. Both of us leaning toward the other, my finger grazing the soft material of his shirt, his warm breath touching my skin.

He must have realized it too, because at once, we both pull away, looking around awkwardly, just to avoid each other’s gaze.

As I look around the parking lot, I notice a couple staring in our direction. “Hey, is that…?”

I tilt my head in the direction of the car, not really sure of the guy’s name, but I’m quite positive he’s on the football team.

“Dean. He’s the one who said it opened.”

“Do you know what we’re watching?”

A grin spreads over his lips. “Well, now that you’re asking…”

Chapter Twelve

NOAH

I was completely right, and I’m not even sure if I should be fascinated or freaked the fuck out. The jury is still out.

From the corner of my eye, I see Jessy throwing more popcorn into her mouth, munching happily as her big brown eyes take in the bloody mess that’s going on on the big screen.

And since I’m watching her instead of that dumb movie I’m not even interested in, I notice her throwing a curious glance here and there in my direction.

“What?” Jessy breaks the quiet, her hand stopping in mid-air and hovering over the popcorn bowl.

“Nothing.” I shake my head but don’t move my eyes off of her.

“You sure? Do I have something on my face? Wait, no, I’m eating popcorn, did one go down my shirt?” She looks down at her cleavage and my eyes instantly follow suit.

She didn’t dress up, just a pair of skinny jeans and a fitted green shirt, but the scoop-neck shows off just enough of her chest to make my mouth water.

“Nothing fell in your shirt.”

“So you were looking at my boobs?” Now she’s glaring at me with suspicion in her eyes.

I sigh and let my head fall against the headrest. “Is there a way to win against you?”

“I don’t think so, although you’re always welcome to try.”

“I’m not even going there.” I shake my head.

“So will you tell me why the hell you were staring at me?” She shifts in her seat to give me her full attention.

“Just trying to figure you out. You’re so… different.”

“Is that a bad thing?” She tries to sound casual, but I can see that she’s waiting for my answer, wondering what I’ll say.

“Not really. But if it were any other girl sitting here, she’d be in my lap by now.”

I know I probably sound like a prick, but it’s true. We should be trying to sell our relationship, yet she’s acting either aloof or like a friend.

“That’s why you brought me here?” One of her perfectly-shaped brows lifts in a silent question.

“I brought you here because some guys mentioned it was open and that they were going. People will start to wonder if they don’t see us around. It’s a small town. You said it yourself, we have to sell this relationship to them, and we won’t do that by disappearing during lunch hour.”

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