Page 32 of Perfectly Faked

He follows me over. “I like making everything my business.” Then he arches an eyebrow. “And if you think hiding it in your pocket is going to stop me, think again.”

I scoff. “But you wouldn’t, because we set up rules. Remember?”

“Hmmm.” He taps his lips like he’s thinking. “I seem to remember that public touching is okay.”

“Public touching, yes. But not public snooping. Or does your ego need a rulebook reminder too?”

“Snooping isn’t technically on the list,” he corrects, then he grins wider, leaning in just enough to make my heart skip.

Curse that smile of his!It’s making me unreasonably happy, but I can’t give up my secrets.

“Great, I’ll add it to the list,” I say, stepping back for air. “No snooping on each other’s phones. And while we’re at it, no grinning like that. It’s distracting.”

“Distracting, huh?” His eyes dance, and his smile turns devastating.

Someone pass the smelling salts or I’m going to faint, right into Leo’s arms.

He rubs his jaw, and I’ve never wanted more to be somebody’s hand. “Should I add that to my strengths on the Crushers’ fan page?”

“Add ‘incredibly annoying flirt’ while you’re at it,” I shoot back, spinning on my heel before he sees the blush creeping up my neck.

Even though I’m racking up points on my smile tally, I need to escape this conversation before I turn molten. Leo follows me to the kitchen, snagging one of the Christmas rolls I made from the counter as I grab a rag and start washing dishes.

“These are amazing,” he says, taking another bite. “Sloan and Jaz have really outdone themselves.”

I fight back a grin as I plunge my hands into soapy water. “Oh, you think so?”

“Definitely. Best thing on the table.” He grabs another.

“Well, I’m glad you like them,” I say. “Because Sloan and Jaz didn’t make them.”

“Then who did?” he asks, popping the bread in his mouth.

“I made them,” I say with a smile.

His chewing slows. “Wait . . .youmade these?”

I shrug. “Yep. Sloan and Jaz gave me a baking lesson earlier.”

His face freezes as he points at the rolls. “You?Youbaked these?”

“Shocking, I know,” I say with a laugh. “I figured it’s about time I learned some cooking skills.”

“I’m impressed,” he says, finishing off the roll. “Never thought of you as the baking type.”

“Guess there’s a lot about me you don’t know,” I say. “I’m like a treasure map—full of all kinds of secrets.”

His eyes meet mine as he leans against the counter. “Is that right? I’d love to find out every one of them.” His mouth tips up, and my heart leaps in my chest.

With every grin, my body gets another shot of dopamine. At this rate, I’m liable to become addicted to his smile.

I turn back to the sink. What better way to squelch any romantic feelings than to do the soul-sucking task of washing dishes? I begin scrubbing the tray in front of me like there’s a picture of Leo on the front I’m trying to permanently erase.

“Need some help?” Leo asks, sliding next to me and rolling up his sleeves, revealing forearms that are all corded muscles. Naturally, Leo is the kind who makes washing dishes look sexy. Honestly, he could rip his shirt off right now, buttons popping, and I’d gladly set fire to the rulebook.

“Earth to Victoria...hello?” Leo says, waving a hand in front of my face and interrupting my fantasy. “What were you thinking about?”

“Nothing!” I answer, my voice going an octave higher. “I was thinking about buttons...” My eyes widen as I realize what I’ve just said. “I mean...dishes.”

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