heated with embarrassment. “That’s not going to happen.”
“I suppose you’re not going to reconsider testing out the kiss-a-day theory with me either then…” His grin was wide and alluring. I could easily see why the girls at school fell for it. I refused to be one of them though.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“So, we’re left with a mystery favor then.” He looked far too pleased by the thought.
“Fine. But the favor can’t involve any football jerseys or kisses.” I quickly added the condition to our agreement.
“You’re no fun,” he grumbled. “But I think we have a deal.”
“Yep, it’s a deal.”
“Should we seal it with a kiss?”
I rolled my eyes before turning to walk back to my room. “I’ll get my shoes and see you by your truck in five minutes.”
“See you there,” he agreed.
Aiden’s devious smile had returned with full force, and I had to wonder what had I just agreed to? And why was a part of me excited to find out?
14
Aiden
I was really struggling to keep my eyes on the road as I drove Clary to her house. I had barely pulled out of the driveway, and already I was finding it highly distracting to have her sitting in the truck next to me. It had to be because of the makeup. She was the most beautiful girl at school on an average day, but when she did her makeup like this, she looked like she didn’t belong in school at all.
I think it was the eyelashes most of all. They were thick and dark, highlighting her bright blue eyes and making them less innocent and more seductive. I quickly diverted my attention back to the road, scolding myself as I did. Clary wasn’t her normal self right now. She was still struggling with her parents being gone, so I really shouldn’t be checking her out. I was only human though—a very weak human who was infatuated with the girl beside me.
When I saw her this morning, it had been nearly impossible to resist the urge to pull her into my arms. She was so beautiful and fragile, and all I wanted to do was make her feel better. There was a determined look in her eyes though when she came knocking on my door, and I knew she wouldn’t let me be close with her like I had been the day before. She didn’t want people looking at her with sad eyes and comforting voices, so I’d just treated her as I did every other day.
Watching Netflix with Clary and actually being able to support and comfort her had meant so much to me. I wanted nothing more than to do it over and over again. It wasn’t what Clary needed right now though. She needed me to return to my usual ways so she could return to hers. That was why I’d asked for the stupid favor. I doubted I’d ever ask her for anything, but I wanted her to feel like everything was normal.
It sucked her parents were gone, but she needed distracting not babying. And distracting Clary was something I happened to be very good at—even if it did have the side effect of also driving her crazy.
“So, did you do your makeup for me?” I asked as I turned off our street.
“Why on Earth would I do that?”
I shrugged. “To impress me.”
“You really think you’re so amazing that I’d do my makeup for you? I don’t even bother doing it for guys I do like.”
“Ah, but are they as sexy as me?”
She snorted out a laugh. “Are you really this arrogant?”
“Only around you.” I smiled and could see her shaking her head out of the corner of my eye. “What? I have to be this arrogant when I’m with you. I need to overcompensate because you like nothing more than deflating this big old head of mine. This level of arrogance balances it all out nicely.”
“So, you’re saying you’re less arrogant around other girls?”
“Marginally so, yes.”
She chuckled under her breath. “Lucky them.”
“And here I was thinking they were missing out.” I looked over at her, and she struggled to withhold a smile. At least my irritating ways were amusing to her today.
“So, the makeup. You don’t usually seem to wear much. Is there something special about today?” I wasn’t really sure if that was a question you should ask girls, but I was curious. Clary didn’t really wear makeup at school, and the whole effect was leaving me unsettled. Perhaps she had a boyfriend I