I wince. And then I think of fucking Cos against the wall and damn if my dick doesn’t perk up and harden. “It turned out to be a misunderstanding,” I mumble.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, she has a twin sister.”
“You’re not fucking serious.”
I shake my head, snort. “I am. But it’s all cleared up now.”
Well, apart from the little fact her Facebook profile says she is in a dream relationship with someone. Who? And what does it mean?
“Good. You wouldn’t want to be screwing around with the wrong sister, now, would you?”
“No, I wouldn’t.” I frown and try to read his face. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Just that you’ve been so torn up about this chick for a while now.”
“I told you, it was a misunderstanding.”
“Okay. I may not be your dad, Merc, but I don’t take kindly to anyone fucking with your feelings.”
I turn back to the engine. “I’m a grown up, man,” I say gruffly, oddly touched by his concern. The guy has been more of a family to me than my real dad would ever hope to be. “I’ll be fine.”
“And Gigi mentioned you haven’t been sleeping well.”
I straighten, almost smashing my head on the hood. “Hey, now—”
“Not that I need her telling me that. I can use my own fucking eyes. You look wiped out.”
My jaw clenches and I take a step back. My hands curl into fists. “Have I made mistakes? Have I flaked on the job?”
“No.” His eyes narrow. “You haven’t.”
Yet.
He doesn’t say it, but the word hangs in the air between us.
Or maybe it’s in my mind.
“I’m just worried about you, kiddo,” he says, and all of a sudden, I feel like I’m sixteen all over again—the age I was when I first met him.
“I said, I’m fine.” I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “Just… lots of assignments.”
He looks steadily at me, and I wonder if he believes me. Guy can see right through me.
Everyone can, it seems, but dammit, I don’t want Matt to think I’m weak. Ever since I met him, I’ve wanted to impress him, show him I can hold up my end, look after myself.
Last thing I need is Matt worrying that I’m not getting my goddamn beauty sleep.
“I’m fucking fine,” I say again, returning to the engine.
And I am. My mouth curls into a smile when I think of tonight’s plans.
I have a date with my girl, and we’ll probably talk, laugh, and then fuck.
Or fuck first.
My smile grows into a grin the more I think about it—about her, about her curves, her mouth, her voice, her words, and my mood lifts. I’m more than fine. I can’t wait for tonight.