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She shrugged and leant her elbows on her knees. “Firstly, what’s embarrassed giggly?”
That’s all she wanted? I’d been prepared for…well, some more nancy wanker words. But that I could do.
“It’s when you find something funny but embarrassing at the same time–”
“How often do you have cause to be embarrassed?” she interrupted.
I smiled. “No, Barlow. It’s unique to you. I mean, probably not like only you in the whole world. But, it’s not a generic thing. You get like it when Hadley does something crazy–”
“Like when she called you beautiful the other day?” she suggested.
I laughed. “Yeah, like that. Like when I sing at you. And like those rare moments when you have a spine and say exactly what’s on your mind. Then you flush this cute shade of pink, you give this gorgeous little smile and your eyes fucking shine, Piper. It’s a beautiful thing to see, and it’s one time you’re really you.”
I felt like an utter nancy wanker and no mistake, but I couldn’t bring myself to regret saying those words to her. It felt like maybe all she needed was for someone to be real with her. I found that was something I could easily, unintentionally do.
Still she said nothing. I wondered if maybe I’d broken her.
“I know you’re totally flattered by my compliment, Barlow. But, I’m waiting on something scathing.”
“You know, you are so not as good as you think you are. Just because you’re demanding and smile nicely, doesn’t actually make you adorable. I have no idea why girls fall over themselves for you. You’re rude and obnoxious and seriously annoying–” She stuttered to a stop like she’d surprised herself. “No! What I meant was…”
I glared at her, wondering how far she’d keep going in the face of my lack of amusement.
“I mean, I’m sure you… I can see why…” She breathed out. “That is, you have… Of course you have…good… What?” she asked as I started laughing, unable to hold it any longer.
“Oh, and you were doing so well!” I crowed as I lay an arm behind my head. “Sure, it wasn’t exactly original. But it was unfiltered until the filter seemed to be stu…stu…stuttering back to life.”
She pushed against my leg playfully. “Shut up. There is nothing wrong with a filter, nothing wrong with civility and human decency.”
“No, Barlow. I don’t suppose there is. But there is such a thing as simpering. It’s a fine line to walk.”
“I think you left the line behind a long time ago, Lombardi.” Her arms spread wide. “Like, you are now so far past the line – out in the wilderness – that you’ll never find your way back.”
“Yeah, quite possibly. But at least you’ll never wonder what I’m really thinking.”
“Don’t pretend you care what I’m really thinking outside any entertainment I might give you.”
“I’m hurt, Barlow! How could you think I didn’t care?”
“Because you’re Roman Lombardi, resident underachiever, obnoxious delinquent, trouble-maker, and horrible flirt.”
I snorted. “Barlow, you insult me. I am a fantastic flirt, thank you.”
She looked back at me and granted me a smile. “Yes, I know. Hence, horrible.”
I nodded, fighting a smile of my own. “Oh, I see. Horrible in the sense I do it a lot, rather than describing my ability.”
“Yes, Lombardi.”
I sat up and bumped her shoulder with mine. I couldn’t have said if it was intentional or not. “Is that you admitting my flirting is fantastic?”
“That is me agreeing that we’re on the same page with that you flirt…” She paused. “I’ll admit a lot of girls seem to think you’re good at it.”
“But not you?”
I couldn’t honestly tell what she thought. I wasn’t intending to flirt with her, but I couldn’t help myself. She brought something out in me that would be very hard to deny was flirting.
“I wasn’t aware you actually tried to flirt with me. I’m not sure that mentioning you wanted to get into my pants one time counted as flirting. I assumed you were stating fact.”
