“Isn’t he like fifteen or something? Shouldn’t he be in school?” he sneers.
He twirls away from the fridge, a grin dancing in his eyes.
I give him a pointed look.
He seemingly can’t drop it, can he?
“He’s nineteen, and he’s getting his high school diploma online,” I say, a bit stiff. “He’s making some extra money on the side,” I rush to point out, trying to keep my face straight. “What’s your problem, Jaden?”
He flicks his hand up, his index finger pointing to his chest.
“My problem? I don’t have a problem,” he says, the slight frustration in his voice suggesting otherwise. “It’s your staff, sweetheart,” he says, his words and tone rubbing me the wrong way.
He takes another swig of beer, observing me with piercing eyes.
His lips curl into a sly smile.
“Why are you flustered all of a sudden?” he asks.
Why does this feel like a setup?
“I’m not flustered,” I say, trying to maintain my composure. I set the cup of coffee on the table, slide my tablet onto my knees, and shift my focus away from him, pretending I’m not flushed and sweating. “Why do you think he has a crush on me?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
“There you are.”
I lift my gaze.
“What? I’m just curious,” I say, smiling cunningly. “I want to know why.”
“I think you know why. But I’ll spell it for you, darling,” he says before running the tip of his tongue over his upper lip, making me stare for a moment.
“Every time you walk in the backyard, he loses his shit. He drops things and fumbles, his head spinning faster than a windmill. More so when you parade in your skimpy swimsuit. Then I can spot his hard-on from the street.”
I push back a chuckle.
“You have quite the imagination.”
His eyebrows tilt up.
“No, no. Trust me on this one. I know a horny male when I see one,” he says, no undertone in his voice.
“Okay. So what are you suggesting?”
“Diversifying would be nice,” he says, in a playful mood.
“Like what?
“Hot women for a change,” he murmurs. “In skimpy clothing, if all possible,” he says, a cocky smirk creasing his lips.
“You are such an ass...”
“I’m entitled to entertainment as much as you are.”
I shift my gaze to my tablet.
“Is that what you think it is for me? A form of entertainment?”
“Mm-hmm.”