Page 18 of Romeo

“What?” I asked, slipping my phone onto my thigh but not bothering to hide it.

Jack nodded toward it as he stepped farther into the room. “You’ve been attached to that thing for weeks.”

“I’m allowed to own technology,” I replied, leaning back against the couch.

“You’re smiling at it,” Jack said, dropping into the chair across from me.

“I always smile.”

“Not like that.”

I glanced at him. “You keeping a catalog now?”

“Don’t need one. Usually, your smile means somebody’s about to get laid, punched, or pissed off.”

Blade laughed from the doorway. “Sometimes all three.”

“Efficient use of my time,” I said.

Jack pointed toward my phone. “That one’s different.”

“Maybe I found a good meme.”

“You’ve been looking at the same damn meme for three weeks?”

“Exceptional meme.”

Jack shook his head. “You’re hiding something.”

“I’m hiding from this conversation,” I said, picking up my phone again.

Jack ignored that and moved closer. “You’re turning down women.”

“I’ve also turned down bad whiskey. Doesn’t mean anything,” I replied.

Blade leaned against the arm of the couch, his mouth twitching with amusement. “Crystal practically threw herself at you.”

“Crystal throws herself at everyone. Gravity is her biggest fan.”

Jack laughed and pointed at me. “You’re avoiding the question.”

“I’m answering all the important ones.”

“You haven’t answered any,” Jack argued.

“Sounds like a you problem.”

Blade crossed his arms over his chest. “Who is she?”

I looked at him seriously. “That’s a very personal question.”

“Exactly,” Blade replied.

“And I’m a very private man.” I nodded like I’d just made the most reasonable statement in the world.

Jack stared at me. “You?”

“Yes. Deeply mysterious.”