Page 13 of The Other Guy

Unknown: Oh, please. If you didn’t enjoy this on some level, you would have put a stop to it long ago.

“He’s not wrong, you know.”

I glare at Sierra who’s shamelessly reading everything between this Toolbag and myself. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

I roll my eyes and stuff my phone in my pocket, tired of this entire conversation.

“You’re really nosy.”

“You already said that.”

“It deserves a second — or third — mention.”

She shrugs a shoulder and spins around. “I’m bored. I can’t be blamed.”

I bark out a laugh and she looks at me over her shoulder and grins. She’s cute. Funny. Annoying. A bit pushy. But, interesting. If I were a smart man, I’d see if she wants to get together for dinner sometime. But… for some reason, I’m not interested. I’ve always been able to read people pretty well and Sierra screams friend. Possibly taken by another? Something tells me she is, though I can’t be sure.

“You have a boyfriend?” I ask, rather bluntly.

“Now who’s the nosy one?”

“Learned from the best.”

She glances at her uncle Kyle and back to me, crossing her arms and leaning onto the bar in front of me. “Yes.”

“You have a boyfriend?”

“Mm hmm. Jealous?” she teases.

“Nope. I actually was just thinking that you’re kind of annoying,” I tease right back, leaning against the back of the bar stool I’m sitting on. I drape an arm over the stool next to me and offer up a cheesy smile, finishing it with a wink.

“Ah! Rude!” she shouts, but she’s laughing as she says it.

“I was just teasing.” I pause then add, “Not really. I actually was thinking you’re a bit annoying and pushy but you’re also funny and kind of interesting. You’re like the annoying little sister I never had.”

“No little sister?”

“Just one older sister. She got married a few years ago, though, so now I have a big brother, too. He’s really perfect for her.”

“Aww. It sounds like you like him.”

“I do. He’s a great guy. My sister, Lily, she’s actually my stepsister but her dad adopted me so I guess she’s just my sister. Anyway, she’s a social worker. He has some experience with that. They’re in the process of foster-to-adopting two little boys.”

“That’s amazing,” she says, eyes lighting up.

“It is,” I agree, swallowing hard.

She reaches down and grabs a glass and starts wiping it, checking for water spots before placing it aside. “Well, my boyfriend, his name is Jeff. And he’s a good guy.”

“Good is good.” I smirk at my little quip.

“I think so, too!”

“How long has he been lucky enough to call you his girlfriend?”

“I knew you were jealous,” she jokes, drying another glass. “Year and a half. We live together.”

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