Page 37 of Dark Notes

“Ladies first,” he says, with a gorgeous ear to ear grin.

“Favorite book?”

“Hmm,” he says while he strokes his fingers on his chin, as if he’s in deep thought.

He laughs. “Alright. I have two answers, depending on who asks.1984byGeorge Orwellis one of my favorites. That’s my answer, for the media, but my actual favorite book isThe Velveteen Rabbit.”

I look at him like he’s nuts, and he might be.

“The Velveteen Rabbitand1984are two very different books, Jagger.”

He chuckles softly as he grabs my legs and pulls them onto his lap. Stroking his fingers down my leg, he explains.

“My mother readThe Velveteen Rabbitto me at least a couple hundred times. When we have kids, I’ll do the same.”

I look away from him quickly. “Jagger, I don’t want kids.”

He doesn’t respond, instead he says, “My turn. Favorite song you’ve never heard me sing.”

“Well, I like all kinds of music, but my favorite nonDark Notessong is probablyCherry PopsiclebyJann Arden.”

He looks at me with surprise. “A Canadian artist?”

I nod. “I really like Amanda Marshall too.”

“Alright. I know my next question. Your turn.”

“Nothing really happened with the girl on your lap? I feel like maybe you didn’t tell me the entire truth.”

He sighs audibly as he takes my hands in his.

“Jesus, baby, I swear to you nothing happened. Have I been with her before? Unfortunately, yes. That was before you. They were all before you.”

I squeeze my eyes tight, because while I don’t blame him for anything that happened before he met me, it still stings.

“Your turn.”

He clears his throat. “How did you find the Canadian artists?”

I say. “I lived there for a few years.”

“Why?” He asks, and I’m terrified this will lead to more questions about my parents.

Pulling on the bottom of my shirt, trying to disappear within myself, I answer him reluctantly.

“One of my mother’s many relationships. She fell in love a lot.”

Lifting my eyes to his face, I see the questions, but for some reason I don’t know, he doesn’t push for more. He nods to me, I think letting me know it’s my turn.

“Any brothers or sisters?”

Pulling my hand to his lips, he kisses my knuckles softly before answering my question.

“Only child, baby. They had the best in one go, and decided they were good with perfection.”

I roll my eyes. “Do you always have to be so cocky?”

“Part of my charm, sweetheart. I have one last question.”

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