Page 30 of Show Off

“That’s basic?” I’m rewiring my image of Lana.

“Anyway,” she continues, “Cooper brought the list to my office and said, ‘I bet Gabe a hundred bucks you can double this list by five p.m. Don’t let me down.’”

“Did you do it?”

“Oh, yes.” She sounds so proud that I’m smiling again. “Pretty sure I tripled the list.”

“Really?” This shouldn’t impress me like it does.

“I added gems like ‘bukkake’ and ‘daisy chain’ and ‘motorboat’ and ‘bait and tackle.’”

“I—” Wow. I’m at a loss for words. “I think I know what daisy chain is.”

“A group sex thing.” She waves a dismissive hand. “And I’m sure you’re familiar with motorboating.”

My eyes drop unwittingly to her boobs. “I’ve, uh—heard of it.”

Lana grins like she knows what I’m thinking. “Bukkake is another group sex thing—don’t google it on a public computer.”

“I’ll consider myself warned.” What was the other one? “Bait and tackle?”

She shrugs without blushing at all. “An old Navy trick. A lonely sailor would take a jar of earthworms and?—”

“Got it.” Holy shit. “Did Cooper get his hundred bucks?”

“Yes,” she says proudly. “And I made him give me seventy-five because I did all the work.”

“Damn. Never thought I’d be this impressed by someone’s filthy mouth.”

Lana beams. “Thank you.”

I clear my throat. “Speaking of sex?—”

“Were we?”

That might’ve been just in my head. “I heard you tell your mother you’re hot for someone.”

“Did you now?” She twirls her pen between her fingers. “Eavesdropping’s not very nice, you know.”

“I’m aware.” And I also know I’m baiting her. “Anyone I know?”

“Perhaps.” Her smile turns coquettish. “Except apparently, kissing me was a mistake.” She uses air quotes for that last part, and I want to kick my own ass.

“Maybe not a mistake.” I consider another word. “Ill-advised.”

“Anyone ever tell you you’re a real charmer?”

“No.”

“Shocker.”

“What was that about, anyway?” I lean forward in my chair, hungry for the heat of her. “What did your mom want you to do for her?”

Those blue eyes flicker. Just an instant and it’s gone. Her face stays stoic, her posture unchanged. It’s like watching her hold it together with duct tape and superglue.

“Just family stuff,” she says. “You know how it is.”

“Sure.” But I’m not certain I do.

---