Sparks - Wendy Higgins Page 0,36

me.

“Nothing!” I called back.

My fingers flew over the keypad. I just literally said aww out loud.

Not trying to be crude but I literally said godamn when I saw that pic of you n the tight jeans. I’m a ass man, so wow.

I held back a grammarly cringe and let his words settle over me, causing a blush to warm my cheeks.

I’ve got plenty of that, I told him.

Thank God!!

Now I was bigtime cheesing.

U seem cool. Do u have any other pics?

My whole body tightened. Was he asking for nudes? And then a picture popped up and I held my breath. Please don’t be a creeper!

Holy…wow. Ren wasn’t shirtless in any of his profile pictures, but the one he sent was from an upward angle, no smile, looking like a beefcake badass. He had a patch of dark hair on his chest, wide delicious shoulders, and a thick waist that tapered into strong hips. Basketball shorts were slung low on said hips, and hello bulge.

It was suggestive without being perverted. It was exactly the type of picture to send a warm tingle through me.

I love that picture, I told him. Hold on and let me look.

My heart was ticking at a nervous, excited pace. I knew damn well I didn’t have any remotely sexy pictures other than the few lame ones of me in my bathing suit. Could I take one now? Just a little experiment? Without pondering too long, I kicked off my lounging pants. I had on black cotton boyshort underwear. My heart was really beating now. I should have felt shame but all I felt was a crazy thrill.

I struck ten different quick poses as I lay there, not getting my face in any of them. One in particular made me stop and stare. Damn, Harlow. I was leaning back with my hips slightly twisted, one knee turned inward. My thighs, tummy, and hips looked plush, like an underwear ad. Biting my bottom lip, I sent it to Ren without a second thought.

His response was succinct.

Fuck.

I covered my mouth against a laugh. Who was I? Why had I just sent that? And why couldn’t I stop smiling?

Your hot.

Oh, come on! Your? I wanted to scream “It’s you’re! As in you are!” But I let it go so my innate snobbery wouldn’t ruin my moment with a sexy fireman.

Thanks. I sent the blushing happy face.

We should hang out, he said.

My chest thumped. Yeah, for sure. When?

I’d invite you to my place but my roommates r annoying af. I’m off tonight. Working or on call every night this week. Me n my boys usually go to Amber’s Grill for drinks n food.

Tonight? Oy. My hangover wasn’t terrible, but it seemed so soon after last night’s horrors.

So, your friends will be there? I asked. Should I bring mine too? It shouldn’t be too hard to talk Willa, Syd-Lo, and Rhea into joining me.

Hell ya. Here’s my cell.

I programmed his number into my cell. Got it. I’ll text you on my way.

I squealed and kicked my feet.

“What?” Beth yelled.

I climbed down from the bunk bed and came out smiling. She grinned back.

“Uh-oh,” she said. “Are you talking to another dude?”

I sat down beside her and showed her Ren, hoping like hell she hadn’t been out with him before.

“Nuh-uh! Him? I’ve been trying to match with him since I moved here! He never swipes right on me!” She looked at me with shocked eyes. “He must like blondes.”

Or maybe it was because he’s an ass man. For once I wasn’t feeling envious of her willowy waist and thigh gap.

She sighed. “Damn, he is so sexy. He’s like three times my size. I just want a big strong man like that to overpower me, you know?”

I was feeling that sentiment enough to hold out a fist and let her bump it.

And though I’d probably regret it later, my guard was down enough at that moment to make me blurt, “We’re going out to a restaurant in Elizabeth. You’re welcome to come. His friends will be there too.” What could it hurt? The other girls would be there this time. I was safe.

For a split second something crossed her face. I couldn’t quite process it. Surprise? Guilt? I don’t know. But it turned to her normal pixie mischievousness very quickly. “Of course, I’m coming.”

“Cool. I’m going to shower.”

She smacked my butt when I stood and muttered, “Lucky bitch.”

I smiled all the way to the shower, glad my back was to her.

Willa, Rhea, and Syd-Lo came