Page 110 of Puck Me Secretly

“I’m almost done with my book.”

“Harry Potter?”

“Yup.”

“Well, what do you think?”

“If you tell anyone, I will deny it…”

“You like it.”

I could hear the smile in his voice. “I like it. In fact, I can’t stop reading it.”

My toes curled as I remember the rest of the series that I had individually wrapped up and packaged up into a gift bag, along with a box of chocolates. Now that gift didn’t seem that stupid. “I knew it.”

“So, do I still get my bonus?”

My stomach pitched. I knew what I wanted to give him for his bonus. “Oh yeah.”

“What is it?”

“Finish your book and I’ll tell you.”

“Is it good?”

“I think you’ll like it.”

His voice dropped a level. “I know I will.”

“You don’t even know what it is.”

“I can fantasize, can’t I?”

I liked the idea of him fantasizing about me. I heard a woman’s voice in his background. I strained my ears to listen.

“Max, dinner’s ready and my parents have arrived.”

Max answered her. “Okay. I’ll be right out.”

Something cold and terrible washed over me. Who was that? He never mentioned that the friend who needed help was a woman! Did he even call them a friend? He just saidsomeone. Which wasn’t the most reassuring thing in the world.

Trying not to jump to conclusions, I worked to even my breath.

An awkward pause settled between us before he spoke. “I should go.”

I would not be that girl. The one that came across as clingy and insecure. Was it any of my business? It wasn’t. And I needed to keep my mouth shut.

“Who was that?” The question came out of me, burning hot and edgy.

“Lolita.”

No explanation from him. Just one word. One name.

“Enjoy your dinner.”

“Rory.”

Hot tears stung my eyes. I had wrapped up a fucking Christmas gift for him and meanwhile, he left to spend the holidays with someone named Lolita and her parents.

---