Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 102607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
"You’re a terrible liar."
“Excuse me?” Nova crosses her arms, looking at me like I just insulted her. "I am an excellent liar, thank you very much."
I throw my head back and laugh.
Nova scoffs again, shaking her head like she can't believe she's even having this conversation. "Okay, Mr. Mind Reader, since you apparently know everything, why don’t you tell me exactly why you think I like you?"
I lower my head, smirking as I watch her. "Oh, where do I even start?"
Nova rolls her eyes. "This should be good."
I lean in, just enough to make her shift slightly in her seat. "For starters, you flirt with me. Whether you realize it or not."
She opens her mouth, but I cut her off before she can argue. "Oh, don’t even try to deny it. You always have some kind of snarky comeback locked and loaded.”
“So? That doesn’t prove anything.”
“You like our banter. You like keeping me on my toes. You like the way I push back when most guys don’t bother."
Nova exhales sharply through her nose. "That’s not—"
I hold up a finger. "Not so fast, I’m not done."
She clamps her lips shut.
“You have a crush on me.”
“You’re right.” She responds in a breezy tone. “I’m only here for the free food.” Nova nabs a dinosaur nugget and nibbles on it. “I love how you just assume every woman is dying to date you.”
She’s hilarious. “Do you think I would be on dating apps if women were dying to date me? Please—don’t make me laugh.”
The truth is, it hasn’t been easy weeding through fan girls and wannabes to find someone who actually wants to be in a committed, long-term relationship… and not someone there for the clout and social media followers.
Nova pops the last bite of her nugget into her mouth and smirks. "Puh-lease! You’re telling me you’re struggling to find dates? Give me a break.”
I narrow my eyes at her. "You think I’m joking?"
“Yeah.” She nods. "It is a joke.”
I don’t usually talk about this kind of thing—about how exhausting it is trying to find someone real when most of the people who slide into my DMs just want bragging rights. But Nova is related to a man who, at one point, had the same issues when it comes to his personal life.
“All I seem to do is question people’s intentions, wondering if they actually like me or just the idea of me," I confess.
Nova hums, tapping her fingers against the table. "Not to make this about me, but at least you’re getting dates. I have the absolute worst luck."
I tilt my head. "Bad luck how?"
She waves a hand. "Cheaters, liars, guys who look nothing like their profile picture. Guys who realize they’re not over their exes in the middle of dinner—"
"For real?"
"Yes," she hisses, taking a sip of the yellow giraffe. "I swear, the universe has it out to get me. Just send me one decent, normal guy who isn’t a walking red flag. Is that so much to ask?"
I raise a brow at her. Has she already forgotten the universe already has—and he’s sitting right next to her?
"You sure you don’t have terrible taste?"
Her jaw drops. "Excuse me?"
I grin. "I’m just saying, maybe the common denominator in all these disasters is you."
She gasps, smacking my arm. "You asshole!"
"Look," I say, still grinning. "I’m just saying, maybe it’s not the universe. Maybe you’re just looking in all the wrong places."
Nova opens her mouth—but something shifts in the air. That weird, unmistakable feeling of being watched prickles at the back of my neck. It’s one I’m familiar with, given the public nature of my profession, but it’s unsettling nonetheless.
My instincts kick in before I even realize what I’m doing, gaze flickering past Nova, scanning the bar.
That’s when I see him.
A dude near the entrance, phone raised, pointed directly at me.
My stomach tightens.
The moment our eyes meet, he lowers his phone, turning away like he wasn’t just blatantly snapping a picture. Like I didn’t just catch him mid-shot.
My jaw tics. Fan? Paparazzi? Some random guy trying to sell a photo to the highest bidder? I don’t know. But whatever it is, it doesn’t sit right.
Nova notices the shift in my expression and frowns. "What?"
“Hold on one second.” I slide off the stool, ignoring Nova’s confused expression as I weave through the tables, eyes locked on the guy.
He’s moving toward the exit, like he’s hoping to blend into the crowd and disappear before I can reach him. Too bad for him, I move faster.
“Hey,” I call out, my voice steady but firm.
The guy stiffens, but doesn’t turn around. Instead, he keeps walking, shoulders hunched like he can pretend he didn’t hear me.
Not happening. My date with Nova is private and I would love to keep it that way, despite the fact that we’re at the fucking Rainforest Café.