Page 33 of The Golden Scoop

“Should I take this as you dropping more inappropriate hints?”

He gasps and brings it to his chest, mock-wounded.

“I wouldn’t dare,” he answers, handing it over.

I skim through the pages and open it up halfway. Immediately, my eyes land on a paragraph filled with explicit descriptions.

“Jesus,” I whisper, closing it quickly. My cheeks are burning.

“Four peppers of spice,” he mentions, amused.

“Can’t wait,” I deadpan.

“There might be some stuff in there you have trouble with,” he whispers. “But fear not, if you come across anything you don’t understand, give me a call, I’ll be happy to help. I offer very hands-on explanations.”

EIGHT

Matt

I can’t stop thinking about her. About what she said, about how she said it, about the way she looked at me like she actually meant it.

My plan is working. Exactly how I wanted it to. With every bait not taken, all the obvious flirting, every layer of myself I’m showing her… it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. She’s starting to see me behind the mask. I can see it in her eyes. The way the puzzle pieces weren’t matching up in her head, and how they are slowly being replaced with completely different shapes.

And that’s the problem.

Because I didn’t plan for this part. For the restless pull sitting in my chest over seeing her again. Like I’m not going to function properly ever again once I don’t get to see her every day. I wasn’t prepared for how much I’m looking forward to her reactions, or her questions. The way she wants to fight me like it actually matters.

And now it’s her turn to plan the next outing, and I’m left waiting, impatient.

It’s Saturday, which means Emma didn’t have to come into set today. My morning is dragging. I tried to call her, wanting to hear her voice more than I should but shocker, she sent me to voicemail and texted me instead.

Mills

Ready for my outing?

Not even close. She has no idea what she does to me.

I probably have one more hour on set, and then I’m all yours for the rest of the day. Anything I should know?

Mills

Yes.

You need swim shorts, flip-flops, and preferably a T-shirt you don’t mind getting wet.

So much for hoping for a quiet day with her.

Did you sign us up for some charitable car wash?

Mills

Nope.

Please tell me this isn’t some weird water yoga.

Mills

You’ll find out soon enough. Come to mine when you’re ready.