Playing Hard to Get(89)

“Jo Jo.” I recognize the sound of Knox’s voice and everything inside me goes warm. “What are you doing right now?”

“Working,” I whisper into the phone, glancing up just in time to see—oh God—Daphne, the blonde goddess, entering the store. “Why aren’t you at practice?”

“I am. I stole away to call you.”

“Why didn’t you just text me?”

“I’m trying to surprise you. Keep you guessing. Did it work?”

“Definitely.” My gaze trails Daphne as she heads straight for the university gear section. She’s with two other girls, who are just as attractive as she is, and every once in a while, one of them glances over her shoulder to look at me.

Huh.

“I can’t talk long, but I wanted to make sure you’re coming over tonight,” he says. “I have another surprise for you.”

I’m intrigued. “Okay. What time should I come over?”

“Make it around seven-thirty,” he suggests, his voice lowering. “Hey, I gotta go. See you later.”

He ends the call before I can say goodbye.

I settle the phone back into the receiver, unsettled by the way Daphne keeps looking in my direction, when Leon speaks up from behind me.

“Who called?”

I shriek, gaining the attention of Daphne and her friends, all three of them now blatantly staring at me, while I turn on Leon, giving him a death glare.

“You scared the crap out of me!” I whisper-yell at him.

“Sorry, that phone call scared the crap out of me. No one ever calls here.” He’s not wrong.

“It was Knox,” I admit, turning my back on the three women and hoping they don’t sneak up on us. “I don’t know why he called the store. Said he wanted to surprise me.”

Leon slowly shakes his head. “You two are adorable.”

“No, we’re not.” I wave a hand, dismissing his words, but deep down…

I think we are kind of adorable. Well, he’s adorable. He’s just so freaking into me and it’s shocking. I’ve never had someone who liked me this much before, meaning Bryan. Even when we were first together, Bryan was never this attentive.

Knox acts like he can’t get enough of me. Like he always wants to spend time with me. He’s so attuned to my needs, and I don’t just mean sexually.

“You two are disgustingly adorable and I love it. Keep it up.” Leon pats me on the shoulder, tipping his head to the side to watch Daphne and her friends. “They don’t look like the sort to read.”

“Don’t be mean,” I chastise him, resisting the urge to turn and look at them yet again. “Knox used to hook up with the blonde.”

Leon blows out a harsh breath. “Of course he did.”

“I’m sure she’s nice.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” The doubt in his voice is obvious.

I need to change the subject.

“How are you doing?” Leon finally broke things off with Lani about a week ago, and while it was difficult, she agreed with him that it was for the best.

“I’m doing all right. It’s weird, not talking to Lani anymore.”

“You miss her?’’

“I do, but Brady has been a great distraction.” Leon wags his brows at me.

“Are you two…getting involved?”

“I wish.” Leon sighs. “We do hang out more though. He’s single. I’m single. Something is bound to happen, you know?”

“Aw, that first blush of new love,” I tease.

“It’s not love, sweetie. More like lust. Though I do like him. He’s so smart, so…interesting.” Leon smirks. “And you can’t give me any grief. You’re giddy in love with Knox Maguire.”

“I’m not in love with him,” I protest.

Am I?

The look Leon sends me is full of disbelief. “Open your eyes, doll face. You are so in love with him, it’s pathetic.”

And with that little truth bomb, Leon shuffles away, heading for the back of the store while I stand there dumbfounded with the realization.

I think my friend is right. I’m in love.

I’m in love with Knox Maguire.

Meaning I am seriously leaving myself wide open to heartbreak.

“Oh hey, aren’t you Joanna?”

I turn to find Daphne standing behind the counter, a curious look on her face.

“Yeah. I am.” I don’t bother telling her we met before, at Logan’s. She only had eyes for Knox that night. I didn’t even exist.

“I’m Daphne.” She thrusts her hand out toward me and I admire her manicure. Long, pale blue nails shaped almost like talons. I’d look like a little kid pretending to be a villain with nails like that while Daphne’s are incredibly stylish. “I know Knox. And you’re—dating Knox.”

“I know.”

She frowns. “You do?”

“He told me you two used to hook up.”

Her pale glossed lips drop open, her eyes going wide with shock. “Really?”

I nod. “We don’t keep secrets from each other, so if you’re trying to cause trouble by saying you two used to fuck all over campus, I don’t really care. He’s with me now.”