Page 49 of Counting On You

“As you can see, I do.”

Wow.

This is my chance. Who would have thought the insufferable guy would turn out to be my lifesaver?

“How?” I mumble.

He flashes me a grin. “Let’s say I’m well connected, and I know where to hide stuff.” His hand points to his jeans and he raises his brows meaningfully.

I’m pretty sure he’s not talking about his jeans.

“Oh, my God. You did not hide it in your underwear!”

“I did, and I had to flirt with the security guard to make sure she wouldn’t pat me down,” he says smugly.

“Of course, you would.” I stare at the phone, fighting the urge to snatch it out of his hands, lock myself in the bathroom, and see what Bruce has been up to. “What else did you hide?” I ask, even though I’m not interested.

“Well, do you want to borrow it or not?” Kade asks, and in that moment I sort of want to hug him.

“Yes,” I croak.

“You can have it for one hour.” He drops the phone on my bed. As I reach for it, he puts his hand over mine. “In exchange for having dinner with me.”

“You are asking me out again?” I stare up at him, my breath catching. “Seriously?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “It’s not a date.”

“What do you call it then?”

“Two friends eating?” He winks.

“I’m not sure we’re allowed to do that, Kade. It would look like two roommates on a date.”

“What? We’re not allowed to eat?” He laughs.

“What if I don’t want to go?”

“Then you can’t have my phone,” Kade says coolly.

I shake my head. “You play dirty.”

“I play fair.”

I sigh, unsure how to proceed next. My gaze turns back to the phone again. I want it so badly, I’ve no idea why I’m making such a big deal out of having dinner with the guy. Like he says, it’s just food. “It’s just dinner, right? Because I told you I have a boyfriend.”

“I don’t see him anywhere here.”

“I’m not a cheater.” I can feel my hesitation dissolving into thin air and flying right out of the window.

“I never thought you were.” He heaves a long, exasperated sigh. “Look, Vicky, I don’t know you, but I just put myself out on a limb for you to make you feel better. I need to know that you’re not going to screw me over. So, do you want the phone or not? If not, just forget I even offered.”

I eye him for a moment, unsure whether I can really trust him not to screwmeover. Eventually, I let out the breath I didn’t even know I had been holding. “Okay, I’m going for it. And—” I catch his glance and reward him with a smile, “—I’m not going to betray your trust. Just make sure you don’t betray mine.”

“We’re partners in crime.” He hands me the phone. “Nobody but you can know about it. Understood? We can’t afford to lose it.”

We.

A rock forms in the pit of my stomach at the word. When did things take this particular turn? I mean, one moment I could barely stand the guy and the next we’re plotting and breaking rules together.

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