Page 11 of Playing Dirty

Not too close.

Just enough.

“Maybe I just haven’t heard it from someone interesting yet.”

Bad idea.

Immediately bad idea.

Because her expression shifted for half a second.

Not soft.

Not flustered.

Something worse.

Interested.

Then it disappeared.

“That sounded rehearsed,” she said.

I grinned. “And yet you’re still standing here.”

For one tiny second, I thought she might smile.

Instead she took a slow sip of water without breaking eye contact.

Jesus fucking Christ.

Jace leaned toward Eli behind us and whispered loudly:

“They’re either gonna hook up or stab each other.”

“Both,” Eli said calmly.

Probably fair.

Rowan looked over at them finally. “Your friends always this annoying?”

“Yes,” I answered immediately.

“Funny,” Jace said. “I was gonna ask if your face always looks this judgmental.”

“It’s genetic.”

I laughed before I could stop myself.

Real laugh too.

Not the fake easy ones I gave reporters and cameras and every otherperson constantly trying to take something from me.

Rowan noticed.

Her eyes narrowed slightly like that reaction surprised her.

Then my phone buzzed again.