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“Oh, yeah. I forgot about that.” It sounded like his face was close to the door. “I’ll buy you a new one.”
“It’s my work uniform, so you can explain to my boss what happened.”
“Fuck,” he hissed. “Yeah, okay. I’ll talk to Andy.”
I swung the door open. “Why? What do you care?” A sudden burst of confidence worked through me. “You and your asshole friends go around town doing as you please, like kings who rule over everyone.”
“Because we do rule.” He smirked, and his full lips drew my attention. “It’s our territory.” He shrugged, oh so proud and heart-stoppingly hot.
“Why are you here?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Damn.” He reared his head back. “You’re a feisty chick. Small and young, but fierce.”
“You didn’t answer me.” I wouldn’t let him mess with my head and overwhelm me with his charm. No matter how he made my stomach flip-flop or my heart race, and was one ofthem, I couldn’t show my true feelings.
What would he think about the rubbernecker who gawked out the window as I passed a car accident? The weirdo who couldn’t get enough of true crime shows, mainly the serial killer and captive episodes? Violence fascinated me. Whacked-out psychos fascinated me. God, what did that say about me?
“Fine.” He turned to walk away. “It’s safe for you to come out. The others left.” He took a step, then paused like he was waiting for something. “Come on, Ellassandra. I’m trying to be nice. Can you give a guy a break?”
“How do you know my name?” I tilted my head and eyed him suspiciously.
He turned around and came back. “It’s on your nametag.” His gaze went to my chest. Well, above my left breast, where my name badge was pinned.
“Oh.”
“Ellassandra is a mouth full. Can I call you Ella or Sandra?” He smiled, all pretty and sweet.
“No.”
He screwed up his face as if insulted.
“I need to get back to work. I’m sure we’re closing soon.” I pushed past him and went behind the counter, where a line of empty salt jars waited. Of course, Brenda’s pepper jars were full.Brat.
“Do you have a ride home?” RJ followed and hopped onto a stool in front of me.
“Will you just leave?” Was he for real? Why would he care if I had a ride home? “I’m fine. Go.”
He stared at me with confusion in his eyes. “How old are you?”
“Young. Isn’t that what you said?”
“You aren’t acting like a kid.”
I rolled my eyes and began filling the remaining jars. I could hear Brenda and the cook whispering from the plate window behind me.
“What are you… fifteen?”
“No,” I snapped at him. “Sixteen. Now will you leave?”
“Phew. That’s a relief.” He relaxed on the stool and stared at me with a heart-stopping curl to his full lips.
“Why is it a relief? What are you? Eighteen?” I studied his face for a long beat, admiring his angular jawline and sexy scruff. Delicate flutters blossomed in my stomach.
“Nineteen. The age of consent is sixteen in South Dakota.” He grinned and licked his bottom lip.
My eyes bulged. “I don’t consent to anything with you.” My heart jumped into my throat. Was he implying what I thought he was? Holy shit!
“Oh, but you will, Ella.” He rose from the stool with his gray depths locked on mine. The corner of his lips quirked up, as if sayingI always get what I want, then he turned on his heels and strutted toward the entrance. “See ya around,” he said over his shoulder, exiting the diner and taking the air from my lungs with him.
