Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

Dean: No, I’ll definitely miss your tits. That top you were wearing yesterday was ridiculous. They were about to pop out.

Leighton: Thanks?

Dean: You looked hot as fuck.

Leighton: And?

Dean: Did Ryan say anything about how he wanted to motorboat you?

Leighton: I’m rolling my eyes now.

Dean: Trust me, Leigh. Any normal guy looks at your boobs and thinks “I need to come on those.”

Leighton: You’re so gross.

Dean: And if Ryan pushed you against the wall and whispered “I want to come on your tits?”

My cheeks flush. I press my knees together. I, Uh…

Leighton: Your point?

Dean: He doesn’t want to fuck you.

Leighton: Okay. I’ll concede that. I’m not doing this to fuck him.

Dean: You have no idea what Penny and her friends are like. You don’t know what you’re getting into.

Leighton: I don’t care. I’m doing this.

Dean: You’re smarter than this.

Leighton: I’m doing it.

Dean: Promise you won’t leave if he breaks your heart.

Leighton: He won’t.

Dean: He will.

Leighton: No, he won’t.

Dean: Then it will be an easy promise to keep.

It’s bizarre seeing Dean worried.

But sweet.

I cross my fingers.

Leighton: Okay. I promise.

Usually, I love my design class. Today, it’s a slog. The lecture on typography goes in one ear and out the other. My thoughts are all tuned to Ryan.

To the possibility of kissing Ryan.

I try to pay attention by making him the centerpiece of my homework—a book cover, my favorite—but it isn’t enough to keep my head in the game.

The entire drive, I think of him. As I park and walk to the shop, I think of him.