Page 74 of Dead Pretty

“But what if they did smell? Like rotten, decades-old cheese.”

He leans back in his chair, hand still curled around his beer bottle. His lips lifted at one side.

He looks so hot right now.

Ack. Who am I kidding? He always looks hot.

That is the reason I’m sitting here with him. Because of his damn hotness.

And his kindness. And sweet personality.

Jack drums the fingers of his free hand on the tabletop. “If you want to try and make this work, Audrey, then give me something that’s actually true, not a hypothetical.”

I sit up straighter. My brows pulling together in confusion. “For what to work?”

“Your attempt to turn me off you. That is what you’re going for here, right? What you said a moment ago.” He leans forward, elbows on the table. Holding the bottle by its neck, he brings it close to his lips. “So, hit me with your worst. What is the worst thing about Audrey Hayes? Something so closet-hiding hideous that even I, the guy who thinks you’re the single hottest woman I have ever seen in my life, would be turned off by it. And make it a good one. Please.”

His eyes appraise me. Almost goading me.

“People have died because of me.”

Jack’s eyes seem to freeze. Like when you pause the channel on TV. He’s just staring at me for what feels like the longest moment, which is probably, in reality, mere seconds.

But then I did just drop that bomb on the table.

Holy fuck.

I actually said that.

I can’t believe I said that.

I’m reeling.

Where the hell did that come from?

My heart is going nuts in my chest.

I’m going to hyperventilate.

Well, I did want to put an end to this thing between us. And that was a surefire way to do it.

It’s like calling out the wrong name during sex.

Nope, it’s worse.

Telling a guy on the first date that you attract death?

A definite no-no.

He’s going to think that I’m crazy.

Good.

Really, Audrey? Is that honestly what you want? For this thing with him to stop?

Maybe not.

But what I want and what is necessary is not the same thing.