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The smartass inside her nearly said something rude. The part of her that had become much more mercenary when it came to getting close to him stifled the urge. Add in the oddly arousing smell of sweat clinging faintly to his skin along with a mixture of soap and…was that coffee? God. He smelled delicious.
She was so toast.
“I have a chill,” she said in a small voice, doing a mental cheer as he dragged her closer while they walked down the street and crossed to the bowling alley.
So evidently, being sweet was a way to get things you wanted as a female. She’d guessed as much, but she wasn’t so good at employing that tactic. This time, however, she was just greedy enough to keep batting her eyes and pretending that she didn’t have a response sent to her by the devil himself for every question.
“Why are you rolling your eyes at me? I’m just keeping you warm. My hand isn’t headed down your pants.”
“Dammit.”
His soft laugh made her flash him a real smile. He almost made it easy to not be a jerk.
She wasn’t used to that either.
r /> “But I wasn’t rolling my eyes. I was giving you the blowjob look. It’s harder to do it out here though because my bangs and the rain keep getting in my eyes.”
“Oh, sweet Jesus.” He shook his head and nudged her ahead of him as he opened the door. “Go left.”
“Left. Right.”
“No, left.”
She sighed and just did as he asked, finding herself stepping into a brightly lit, small shop for the bowling aficionado. Gear from shoes to bags to clothes—clothes?—hung from every wall and the rafters. She could even purchase a miniature bowler for her desk.
“What size are you?” West asked, going right to the rack of jackets. The ones in front were a bright pink satin that reminded her of Grease.
“Um, ten. Twelve with boobs.”
He glanced at her, tossing an errant blond curl that had escaped his man-bun out of his eyes. “Do they detach? Never mind. I know I won’t win that one.” He flipped through the hangers on the rack. “Here you go. Try this on.”
She gave him the pizza box and took the jacket, sliding it on with a purr of pleasure. “Oh wow, this feels wonderful. So soft inside. Fleece?” She brushed her fingers over it and sighed. “I feel like I’m back in the days of Laverne and Shirley. I used to watch that old show in reruns when I was little.” She glanced up at West, who was staring at her oddly with his lips drawn in. “What’s wrong? Does it look weird?”
Before he could answer, she moved to the glass windows on the side of the shop that faced the arcade and bowling alley. She turned sideways, studying herself in the glass. “I actually kind of love it,” she declared, pulling her thin wallet out of her back pocket. She’d left her purse in Ethan’s car, just bringing her phone, wallet and lipstick into the arena. “It might not be the best fashion statement, but I’m a trendsetter.”
When she would’ve tugged out her wallet, she noticed West already sauntering up the checkout area. He pointed at her in the jacket, then nodded and fished out his own wallet.
Swallowing hard, she fumbled for the price tag. And blinked. The price did not change. What? Was this thing lined with gold threads? It was not cheap, and truthfully, if she had known the price, it would’ve been out of her budget for such a frivolous item. She couldn’t wear it all the time. For one, she lived in southern California, and two, a bowling jacket wasn’t the usual wardrobe choice.
But this one…sigh. She already kind of loved it. And now she owed West for this jacket, which meant she’d have to pay him back in the future. Future meant that even after tonight she’d have reason to contact him.
Or his assistant. Or—gasp—ninja blond manager who collects organs to feed to her pet anaconda.
West sauntered back to her, box tucked under his arm, and she smiled. “Thank you for this. I’ll repay you. Do you have an assistant?”
“For what?” He looked around as if he was truly baffled. “Do I look like I need assistance?”
God, she could really fall for this guy. He had no affectations whatsoever. True, she’d only known him for a couple hours, but already there was something there.
“I meant you know, because rock god and all.” She’d been teasing, but his eyeroll was so gratifying. He wasn’t some cocky dude with an ego big enough to eat Seattle. So far, he just seemed sweet and nice and hot as hell.
Was that even possible when it came to rockstars? She had no frame of reference.
She stepped closer and leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for the jacket. I’ll pay you back. I’m between jobs right now—long story—but soon as I get a new position, I’ll send you a check.” Easing back, she frowned. “Maybe I’ll send cash. I think my bank account is closed.”
“Let’s call it even and split the difference.” He slung his free arm around her shoulders and guided her out of the shop and into the arcade. “So how do you feel about Goth Avenger?”
“Is that a championship bowling team or something?” She turned her head slightly and seeing his fingers dangling right there made her follow impulse and reach up to grab his hand.
