Page 43 of Because I Liked A Boy
“Do you think about kissing him?”
My cheeks flame. “Absolutely not.”
She cackles, delighted. “That’s a yes.”
I shake my head furiously. “We are just friends. Hanging out. End of discussion.”
She smirks, ready to press me further when the bell above the door chimes.
I don’t have to look to know. My body already knows.
Ruby’s eyes widen as she glances over my shoulder, then her grin turns downright wicked. “Well, speak of the devil.”
My stomach plummets as a familiar voice cuts through the café, lazy and smug.
“Princess.”
Hunter’s voice rolls through The Maple Bean like he owns the place. My whole body jolts, heat rushing up my neck.
Ruby’s grin freezes for half a second before snapping back sharper than ever. “Guess my break’s over,” she sing-songs, shooting me a look dripping with good luck explaining this later. She bounces to her feet and slips behind the counter, leaving me stranded at the table just as Hunter makes his way across the café.
Conversations dip, just slightly, as he passes. Like even strangers can feel the pull of him. And of course he comes straight to me, all swagger and sharp edges, like I never stood a chance.
He doesn’t even hesitate, cutting straight through the room with that easy swagger that makes people move out of his way. When he reaches my table, he leans down, palms braced on the wood, green eyes locked on mine like I’m the only person here.
“You gonna tell me why you haven’t replied to me?” His voice is low, pitched for me alone.
I freeze. My phone might as well weigh a hundred pounds in my pocket.
“I’ve been busy,” I manage, too defensive, too quick.
Hunter’s lips twitch like he sees right through me. “Busy ignoring me, maybe.” One hand shifts closer across the table, close enough that the heat of his skin brushes mine. “Come on, Princess. You can’t ghost me the day of our big night.”
Heat crawls up my throat. “It’s not a big night.”
“Sure it is.” His grin turns sharp, knowing. “Our first friends date.”
My pulse stumbles. I cross my arms, forcing space between us. “It’s not a date. It’s… ridiculous. We’re friends. That’s all.”
His grin spreads, smug and wicked. “Sure. Friends who cuddle.”
My face burns hotter, and I hate that he knows it.
For a second, neither of us moves. His gaze lingers on me, steady andinfuriating, like he’s reading every thought I don’t want him to see. His hand brushes mine again, softer this time, deliberate.
Behind us, Ruby’s voice cuts through the hum of the espresso machine, just a little too sharp. “Black coffee. And a cappuccino.”
Hunter straightens, finally peeling himself away from me. He saunters to the counter, collects the drinks without a word—though not before Ruby slides the cappuccino across with a name scrawled in thick black marker.
One Night Stand Fuck.
My breath catches.
Hunter doesn’t even flinch. He just picks up both cups like he didn’t notice—or like he refuses to give Ruby the satisfaction. Then, before leaving, he doubles back to me.
He leans down, close enough that the heat of him swallows me whole, his breath brushing my ear.
“See you at eight, Princess.”
