Page 32 of Fate In Fiction

“That’s because you’re young,” I say, more to remind myself, and her glare pins me to my seat.

“Um, who hangs out in karaoke grunge bars and loves 80s rock?” she sasses, and I can’t fight my smile.

“I stand corrected.” I see her pull up a contact and bring the phone to her ear.

“Hey, Kevin.” She smiles, giddy, and requests my song.

“Special connections?” I ask, feeling a bit of jealousy creep in from out of the blue.

“Kevin hosts the university’s radio station I’m obsessed with.” She turns the radio back up. “Most of his songs come from me. The good ones, anyway. Your song should be up next.”

“No, everyone doesn’t need to hear it.” I feel embarrassment surface.

It’s too late. The radio kicks in with my song, but I may as well own it. Josie’s face scrunches as she tries to hold in laughter and turns my way.

“Ew, a boy band?” Her cringed face is severely judging me. “Really?” Her light laughter warms my chest, and for the hell of it, I sing along. “Welp, my credibility for having the best taste in music has been shot to hell.”

“Hey, it’s catchy.”

“I would have never pegged you for jamming to a boy band.” Her laughter comes from her belly continuously. “You could use some voice lessons.”

“My two older siblings used up all the musical talents.” I turn the music down, switching my voice to a more serious tone as I debate exposing a truth. “I think I like this song so much because I know it will never haunt me. It’s safe.”

“It’s safe to say you won’t win any hearts over with that voice.” Her playful tone helps me deflect.

“It’s a good thing a lot of women like money.” I let the sarcasm ring freely through my voice, but sadly, that’s all most have been interested in.

“Come on, it also helps being a smidge attractive,” she exaggerates, making me want to grip her chin and kiss her lips again. Would it be so wrong to practice in case a public kiss is needed?

Her gaze falls to my lips, as if sensing my thoughts.

“Oh, yeah?” Do I act on this, or wait until she makes a move?

Josie clears her throat and points ahead. “We should start driving again before something creepy comes out of the woods and attacks us. I’ve seen one too many scary movies, and this is usually how they start.”

I put the car into drive with a chuckle. “I could scare them off. You know I wouldn’t let anything hurt you.”

“I mean, you could just start singing.” Her laughter fills the car once again. “I am very confident that would scare them away.”

“You’re lucky I’m driving.” I look her way with a side-eye. “Or else I’d be making sure you couldn’t escape a tickle.”

“A tickle?” Josie shakes her head with another giggle. It’s a beautiful sound I need to make happen on the daily. “Are you eight?”

“Fourteen. Remember?” Banter with her comes easily and warms me every time. “I’m quite proud of it, actually. Some of my friends stopped maturing at twelve.”

“Phew, I’m glad I don’t have to fake date them.”

I laugh. “This relationship is the only thing that needs faking. I’d have your body convulsing in the bedroom.” She faces forward, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and my stomach drops, hoping I didn’t take it too far. “Sorry.” While I keep myself in check to not make an actual move, she’s cute when she blushes. And maybe by the time this is nearly over, we’ll get to act on whatever tension and flirting we have building.

“Don’t be sorry.” Her arms fold across her chest, closing herself off. “Your performance in bed is something I should know about if we are serious.” The confidence rings through her voice. “Stella has mentioned your reputation. Are your bedroom skills actually worth bragging about to my friends?”

“You could always ask for a taste and find out for yourself.” I wink as her arm reaches over to smack me in a playful manner.

“Boundaries, Emmett. Goals.” Josie glares, but keeps a light tone. “We can’t mess this up over an orgasm. Plus, I’ve seen the women you’ve hooked up with. I’m fine with not being your type.” She shrugs. “It makes this a whole lot easier.”

“Type? I’ve traveled the world. I wouldn’t say I have a type.” I go for whatever the country I’ve visited has to offer, but her annoyed huff tells all. “Okay, I won’t lie. The quiet girl with a clean public image isn’t my go-to. But this is why it should be more believable to my family. Cleaning up my act and all.” The fact that they’ve still been doubting me, despite how I’ve been proving how serious I’ve turned my life around, is frustrating as hell.

“If only my sassiness could be used outwardly at public events, they’d be more fun to attend.” She sighs. “I know you don’t find me sexy. That’s fine. Actually, preferable.”