God, she’s beautiful.
“Hi, Jade!” Ella waves with both her hands. “Do you have nail polish?”
“Sure do. Aisle four.”
“Hey!I’mfour!” Ella announces before disappearing without another word.
When Jade’s gaze drops to my fingers, her smile blooms. “Nice nails.”
I hold up both hands for her to admire. “Thanks. My stylist says they bring out my eyes.” Not sure what that means since they’re hot-pink and sparkly. Jade’s smile widens, and I find it hard to tear my eyes away.
Her brows lift. “And the barrettes?”
Shit. I forgot about the damn barrettes. I swipe them out of my hair and stuff them into my pocket.
“Uncle Pickle! Jade has green!” Ella calls from the aisle.
“Grab it quick before someone comes in and takes it,” I shout back.
Jade leans forward on her stool and braces her elbows against the counter. “Okay, I’ve been dying to ask: Why does she call you Uncle Pickle?”
My cheeks heat, and I briefly consider making up some story to save myself the embarrassment of the truth, but then I get a better idea. “I’ll tell you if you answer something for me first.”
Her brow pinches. “What’s that?”
“Yesterday, you asked me whatthisis.” I gesture between us. “I want to know whatyouthink it is.”
She freezes, her eyes widening and her cheeks flushing red. Then, she pushes upright and splays her hands on the countertop. Her shoulders rise and fall with a heavy sigh. “If you want the truth, Dylan, I think I’m just another notch on your bedpost.”
I feel my face tighten. Well, isn’t that a kick to the groin? No wonder she ran away.
Ella pops her head out to ask if she can buy some candy. I tell her to get whatever she wants, even though Iris is going to kill me for it later. Once Ella disappears, I turn back to Jade and swipe my clammy hands down my jeans. “And if I say you’re not?”
Her head tilts. “I’m not sure I’d believe you.”
After what she’s probably heard from Hayley, I’m not sure I blame her. “Let’s say, for argument’s sake, you did believe me. What would happen then?”
She purses her lips as she considers. “IfI believed you, I would be waiting for you to ask me out again, which you would do right away because you couldn’t wait another minute.”
I do want to ask Jade out again. And not just to hook up. Don’t get me wrong, I’d gladly fuck her sideways again if given the chance, but I also wouldn’t mind bringing her to dinner and a movie or for a night away to my family’s cabin down at the springs.
I open my mouth to tell her as much, when Jade blurts, “Now you have to tell me about Uncle Pickle.”
I guess that’s the end of that conversation.
“When Iris was little, she used to call me ‘Dyl’. Like, dill pickle. And since I was the only boy in a house of girls…” I can’t believe I’m about to say this out loud to the girl I’m trying to impress. “They thought I had a pickle between my legs.” I’ve tried telling my sisters not to call me that, but they overruled me like usual. Now I will forever be known as “Uncle Pickle.”
Although Jade laughs, her eyes seem sad. “That’s the best story I’ve heard all day.”
“And I expect you to take it to the grave.”
Ella skids around the corner with her arms stuffed with candy, nail polish, and a plunger. I’m too scared to ask about the last thing, so I keep my questions to myself and drag out my wallet while Jade rings the items into the register. With our random assortment tucked into a Quinn Brothers bag, we thank Jade and head out onto the street.
Ella gives my hand a squeeze. “I like her lots.”
A harsh fall breeze slaps my cheeks. “So do I, monster.”
That’s why I drag out my phone and type out a text.
