His smile grows, if that’s possible. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who acts so happy all the time. As if he doesn’t have any problems. I guess when you’re Knox Maguire, you wouldn’t have any problems.
Your life is perfect.
“I figured girls like you wouldn’t know who the hell I was.”
“What do you mean, girls like me?” I’m offended.
“I’m thinking you don’t go to football games, right?”
Oh please. Like he’s looked for me in the past. He doesn’t even know who I am.
“Sometimes.” I shrug. I’m lying. In all of my years going to this college, I’ve never attended a single football game. “Most of the time I have to work.”
“You should take a Saturday off and come watch me play before you lose your chance. If you want, I could get you free tickets for the best seats in the house at our next home game.” He smirks.
I glance over my shoulder to make sure he’s not saying that to someone else. “Are you offeringmetickets to your game?” I ask when my gaze returns to his.
His nod is slow. “Yes.”
“Oh.” This has to be some sort of joke. “Well. Thank you, but I’m not interested.”
His mouth falls open for a brief moment, as if I’ve completely disappointed him. “Are you for real right now?”
“I just don’t have the time. Though I appreciate the offer.” I focus on the computer in front of me and start tapping keys. He doesn’t need to know I’m not actually doing anything. “I really should get back to work.”
Knox watches me for a long, quiet moment. “All right, Jo Jo. I’ll see you around.”
I frown, my gaze finding his yet again. It’s like I can’t stop looking into those beautiful green eyes of his. “How do you know my name?”
“This.” Reaching out, his fingers brush the nametag that’s attached to my lanyard, which is lying to the side of my right breast.
I feel that touch all the way to my flipping soul.
“Um.” I glance down, noting the way his fingers linger for a second too long before he finally drops them from my chest. “That’s my nickname.”
Why did I tell him that?
“What’s your actual name then? Wait, let me guess,” he says before I can answer. He starts walking backward, snapping his fingers before he points at me with both hands. “Joseph.”
The giggle that escapes me sounds foreign. “That’s a guy’s name.”
“Josephine then.” He’s still walking backward, heading for the store entrance, despite his sister still being in the Apple section. Though she’s at the counter and it looks like the guy is ringing her up.
A couple of customers get out of Knox’s way, so he doesn’t run into them, and he doesn’t even realize it.
“No.” I shake my head.
“Jolene? Like the country song?” He starts singing the chorus and oh my God, it’s so bad. The few customers in the store turn to look at who’s making the awful racket, their eyes going wide when they see who it is, but that doesn’t deter him. He doesn’t stop singing until he finishes the chorus completely.
I’m laughing when I shouldn’t be. “That’s not it.”
He stops right at the double doors, shifting out of the way for someone trying to enter the store. “Jody.”
“Uh uh.”
Knox reaches behind him, pressing against the push bar that opens the door and he pauses. “I’m going to figure it out, Jo Jo. Just watch me.”
The moment he turns and leaves the store, Leon materializes, a knowing smile on his face. When our eyes lock, I start shaking my head repeatedly. “Don’t say it.”