Page 12 of Fauxmance

I gave a nod. "Part of it."

Hayden's brows pinched together. "Well, you'll also be happy to hear I don't chew with my mouth open. Broke that habit a long time ago."

I knew he was joking, but that did make me glad. Hearing someone chew was bad enough, but watching the food move around in his or her mouth? Ugh. It was one of the most disgusting things ever.

"My grandma wouldn't let me out in public if I did," he muttered. "Actually, in that case, maybe I should start."

"Please don’t," I said. "Good manners are important."

He looked to me then. "You sound just like her."

I didn't know how to respond to that. When the guy who just hit you with a sexy smolder compares you to his grandmother, what was there to say really?

Gesturing to his jacket, I changed the subject. "You didn't mention my other fear."

"Ah, so you assume that just because I have a leather jacket I ride a motorcycle," Hayden said. "Very presumptuous."

"Do you have a motorcycle?"

Hayden lifted a brow. "What if I do?"

"Then it's not presumptuous," I said. "Just a good guess."

He didn't say anything, so I crossed my arms.

"That fear is totally valid. Motorcycles are loud, dangerous deathtraps waiting to happen. I don't understand why anyone would voluntarily put themselves at risk like that."

"Have you ever ridden on one?" Hayden asked.

"No," I scoffed. "Of course not."

"Maybe you should reserve judgment until you have."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stay protected in my little Honda Civic, thank you very much."

Hayden sniffed. "Your loss."

I pointed at his face and smiled triumphantly. "I knew it! You do have a motorcycle."

"Or I could just like them."

My eyes squinted as I tried to make out if he was lying. I was pretty sure he was. He kept his mouth in a straight line, but I thought I spied amusement in his gaze. Also, it wasn't just the leather jacket with the silver studs that gave him away. I could totally picture Hayden on a motorcycle. His features were classic, but he gave off a rebel vibe. We'd only known each other a short time. But that was enough to let me know he was trouble. The good kind. The kind of trouble a girl might like to get into every once in a while.

"What are you thinking about?" Hayden asked.

Shaking myself out of it, I shrugged. "Oh, nothing."

"Didn't look that way to me. You were staring pretty hard."

I blushed.

"It was almost like you saw a…red lobster."

Hayden laughed as I let out a gasp.

"I was not looking at you that way," I said through clenched teeth. Though yes, I was totally looking at him that way. "And I told you the meaning of those words in confidence."

He was still laughing, but I shook my head.

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