“Unrequited love,” I say and clear my throat. “Or something else. That’s just an idea.”
“No. Let’s go with it.” She studies her notepad and flips her lip ring twice. “So, who’s taking on that position? Me or you?”
The question hangs suspended between us and I tap my fingers against my knee just to break the silence. This is it. My moment to be honest. To face my fears and feelings head on. Instead, I go with a joke that earns me a smile. “You, of course. I mean, we’ve already established I’m more attractive than a bug.”
“Fine.” She meets my stare just to roll her eyes and nods at my phone, her mouth pinching together with distaste. “Okay, get to work.”
And I do. Or rather, I attempt it.
I fumble through my thoughts, trying not to focus on the beauty before me. Wildly at work, she’s captivating to watch. Her fingers rub along the ink as it dries, and her pen dashes quickly over the paper. She doesn’t stop, only rearranges her words into perfect little patterns on what was a blank space only moments ago. Her movements gradually slow and I glance down at the blinking cursor on my notepad app. Shit. I need to writesomething.
I tap vigorously against the screen until Lexi clears her throat.
“You about ready?”
“Yep.” I keep tapping, mentally thanking whoever invented the feature that predicts which word I’m trying to spell. “Done!” I shout and glance up to find an amused expression playing on her face.
“You want to go first?” She raises her brow and I shake my head.
“Nah, you go. I want to hear all about how you pine for me.” I wink, and her laughter, light and an octave too high, leaves her mouth in a rush. I tilt my head to consider what must be nerves. “You okay, Lex?”
“Fine. Okay. Here goes ...”
She chews her lip and then flips the ring once before belting out her song.
“Heavy breaths and twisted intent
I’d never chance someone like you
Your love comes at a cost, one I can’t afford
But your lips, they make me want more
All sense out the door, my body is yours
If only you’d play me, play me some more
“I don’t know, something like that. Your turn.” She fiddles with her pen across the lyrics and the ring at her lip flips back and forth with the tip of her tongue.Fuck me. “So, what do you got?” She snaps the notebook closed and I meet her expectant gaze.
“Well ... Um ... Shit. Don’t laugh, okay?”
Her mouth moves to smile and she rolls her eyes. “With you, I can’t seem to keep my promises.”
Shit. Did that mean—?I don’t have time to analyze her words because she coughs and bugs her eyes, motioning her finger in circles for me to get on with it. Here goes nothing.
“She’s got a rack like Katy Perry
Legs that make ya’ Tootsie Roll
I’d always have her number
If just to rock and roll
Those red lips hold the devil’s kiss
And I think I wanna burn ...
“I mean, it’s no Shakespeare, and still rough and all ...”
