Page 14 of Stroked Long
“Why? Because I’m his sister? Oh please, you won’t believe the amount of times I’ve had to hear other women talk about Bodi. The only difference is I like you. Now spill.”
I bite a chunk out of my treat and talk while I chew. “I don’t know what you want me to say. He’s hot. He has the whole package. The beautiful eyes, the gorgeous messy hair and very light stubble, the body that is only developed in romance novels, and the demeanor of a sexy, yet distraught man. He’s attractive to me in every way possible, especially when he’s in one of those tiny bathing suits.”
“Am I interrupting something?”
I’m mid bite when I freeze and look to Eva, who has a giant smile on her face, literally stretching from one ear to the other.
That deep, husky voice. I would knowthatfrom anywhere. Swallowing hard, I look up and see him hovering over our table, wearing his A’s hat, a plain white T-shirt, and dark wash jeans.
Awkwardly, I raise my hand, twiddle my fingers in greeting, and say, “Oh no, just talking about, uh, Reese King, right, Eva?” My eyes plead with her. Why I chose Reese King, I have no clue, but I wasn’t sure how much Bodi heard, and I didn’t want to make this situation more awkward than it already is.
“Yeah, we were talking about Reese King,” Eva says with a smirk. I have a desperate itch to punch her non-existent boob.
Bodi nods and says, “I can wait while you two finish up.” Bodi starts to step aside but Eva stops him.
“No, I wanted to talk to you both about the foundation since I’m in town. Grab a seat, Bodi. Can I get you a drink?”
He shakes his head and pulls a water out of his back pocket. “Got a water.”
“Of course you do.” Eva points her thumb at Bodi. “The boy doesn’t go anywhere without a water.”
Feeling uncomfortable, I can sense my “Ruby” starting to break out and it’s evident in my response. “I like water. Gosh, I can’t get enough of that clear stuff. Guzzle guzzle, that’s me. Just hook me up to the reservoir.”
Bodi gives me a strange look as Eva tilts her head and studies me.
“I know I’m not drinking it now, but in order to have green tea, you have to start with water, am I right? Green tea is actually a very beneficial drink to the human body, not just because of the water, oh no, there is actually a plethora of benefits from drinking it.” I point my finger in the air and continue, “Fun fact, green tea reduces plaque and bacteria in your mouth and prevents bad breath, so look out, I’m in the running for make-out queen with this spic-and-span mouth. I don’t drink green tea for just the hell of it, I drink it for the opportunity to be a good partner in the act of tonsil hockey.”
Bodi doesn’t acknowledge my lunacy, he just stares down at his water bottle as Eva shakes her head. “I forgot how you love to ramble on about random things. I missed you.”
I take that as a compliment. I have to in order to avoid self-hatred. “Yeah, it’s a real treat for all.” I hold my snack out to Bodi. “Rice Krispy?” Scanning the marshmallow and cereal object in my hand, he then looks up at me, his eyebrow slightly raised.
“Trying to get me to eat sugar again?”
Oh God, was that a joke? Did he just joke with me? Would anyone else consider that teasing? I hate that I want to paint a rainbow across his face in pure joy.
“What’s this, did you offer him sugar the other night?” Eva asks.
“I made oatmeal raisin cookies,” I answer for the both of us. “He had one small nibble, smaller than a mouse. It was like he was an itty-bitty baby and took an itty-bitty baby bite, smaller than one whole raisin. I think it was the size of a pea.”
“It was bigger than that,” he says softly, retreating back into his shell.
“But he had a piece!” Eva raises her fist in triumph. “That’s more than I’ve ever been able to do.”
“I didn’t want to be rude,” he offers.
“Such a good host.” Eva pats his arm. “But you should know, Ruby, since you will be working closely with Bodi, he doesn’t eat anything that will put an ounce of fat on his body.”
“So that’s a no on the Rice Krispy treat then?” I smile shyly.
“No thanks.” He then turns to Eva and says, “Want to get to the reason I’m here?”
I want to believe the way he phrases his sentence isn’t meant to be insulting, but his dismissal and urge to get this meeting over with does hurt the old ego just a little.
“You don’t need to be rude,” Eva chastises him, causing him to stare back down at his water bottle like a bruised puppy dog.
And there goes my heart. It is torn out of my chest and flopped on the table, willing and waiting for Bodi to grab hold of it. With one deflated pose, he has me wanting to reach out and hug him. How is that possible?
He rubs the back of his neck and peels the label on his water bottle. “I actually have some things to get done. Can you just email me the details?” Bodi starts to walk away but before he can get far, Eva is out of her chair, halting him with one hand to his arm.
