Page 39 of Unexpected Prejudice

“Why not?”

He got up from the grass. “Because we don’t really know him.”

“Yes, we do. He’s our friend.”

“He isn’t.”

Why would Levi say that? It was unlike him to be so unfriendly toward someone.

“And why did you tell him he looks like a model?”

“Because he does. And you agreed.”

“Only because you put me on the spot, Jessie. You can’t tell people they’re pretty like models.” He crossed his arms over his chest and looked rather pissed.

Standing up, I pinched his cheek. “What’s with the grumpy face?”

“I’m not grumpy,” he mumbled. “I just don’t appreciate it when you tell other guys they’re handsome, like models.”

“You didn’t mind when I said that to Miles.” I had said that to him the first night he’d joined us for dinner, and it turned out he really was a model.

“It isn’t the same.”

“What is?” Andrei asked as he and Diesel came to stand beside us.

“Nothing,” Levi said quietly, still not looking me in the eyes. Oh no.

“You’re angry with me.”

“I’m not angry with you,” Levi lied.

“What’s going on?” Andrei asked again.

“I told Jordy he looks like a model, and Levi didn’t like it.”

Andrei and Diesel exchanged looks. “Who’s Jordy?” Andrei asked.

“Just a guy,” Levi huffed with a scowl.

“Oh, shit.” Diesel clapped his hands before wrapping an arm around Levi. “You’re jealous. Is that what all this is about?”

Levi’s ears turned red, which soon spread from his ears to his face and down his neck. He pushed away from Diesel. “I’m not.”

Wait. Jealous?

“C’mon, hombrecito. It’s normal to be jealous.”

“Don’t call him that!” I snapped at Diesel. “He isn’t a little man.”

Diesel raised his hands in the air, smirking. “Hey now, don’t get feisty. I was only joking.”

Ignoring Diesel, I said, “Levi, is it true? Are you jealous? If you are, you shouldn’t be.”

When he didn’t meet my eyes, I grabbed his arm and forced him to look at me. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just thought he looked pretty. I also think Andrei’s pretty. You get what I mean?”

“What about me? Aren’t I pretty?” Diesel jumped in. He was chatty today.

“No, bro, you’re ugly,” Andrei said.