The Year I Became Isabella Ande (Sunnyvale #1) - Jessica Sorensen Page 0,35
know why I do it. Okay, maybe that’s a lie. I saw Indigo use the move on a couple of guys she was flirting with.
Holy shit! I’m flirting with Kai.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Wow, you’re violent.” Kai chuckles, rubbing his side where I pinched him.
“Sorry, I’m just impatient.” I clasp my hands in front of me. “Would you please, please ask your question before I either lose my mind, or my head explodes?”
“Fine, I’ll ask you.” He mockingly rolls his eyes. “Geez, Isa, there’s no need to get overdramatic.” He flashes me a playful grin when I glare at him, pretending to be more annoyed than I am. “So, what’s up with the new look?”
“That’s your question? Really?” I frown, disappointed. “I have to say, after all that build up, I thought you’d ask me something way more intense and awkward.”
His brow cocks. “Like what? If you’re a virgin or something?”
My cheeks flush, and I hate that he can see it. “No, that’s not what I was thinking at all.”
He grazes his finger across my cheek. “I forgot how cute you are when you blush.”
The movement is so quick I barely register it, but my heart accelerates, my pulse pounding against my wrist, my neck—everywhere.
My body is a damn betrayer, and my mind is yelling at me to be pissed off at him. He’s talking about the past, back when we used to hang out, and he has no right to talk about those moments he decided to pretend never happened.
“You’ve never seen me blush before,” I lie, my voice a little shaky. I run my fingers through my hair, smoothing it into place. “And I just decided to change my look. It’s not a big deal.”
“There has to be a reason behind it, especially since I know you hate dresses and makeup and all that girlie shit.”
“I’ve never hated girlie shit. I was just confused … back then.” Back when you stabbed me in the heart. “And I’m not that girlie.” I lift my feet and tap my boots together. “See? Totally not girlie shoes.”
He bites back a smile. “Still, you’re way different, and usually there’s a reason someone does a complete flip of the switch.”
I squirm uncomfortably, thinking about another reason that might have caused my sudden transformation.
Not wanting to sink into my worries in front of him, I turn the focus on him.
I arch my brows. “You mean, like you?”
He grimaces. “Yeah, I guess so.”
I consider his question, but the idea of telling him what I discovered about myself and my family while I was on the trip terrifies me.
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
His lips quirk up, and his eyes darken. “What exactly are you talking about, Isa? Because when you say shit like that to me, my mind automatically goes right to the gutter.” His gaze sweeps up and down my body, causing me to shiver. “But I’m more than happy to show you mine.”
I roll my eyes and shove him, laughing. “Don’t be gross.”
“Hey, you’re the one who said it,” he says with a grin.
“I meant I’ll tell you why I changed if you tell me why you changed.”
He considers what I said, but not for very long.
“All right, keep your secrets, then.”
“Okay, I will.” I’m only a tiny bit sad he won’t tell me. I’m curious why he decided to go from jock to this laid-back, I-don’t-give-a-shit-about-anything version of Kai. Mainly, I’m glad, not wanting to tell him my secret.
He juts out his lip, pouting again. “You’re really not going to tell me?”
“You know that doesn’t work on me, right?” I push to my feet, brushing the dirt off the back of my legs. “I gave you a chance to know, but you didn’t want to take it.”
He rises to his feet and stretches out his arms.
I try not to stare as his shorts ride lower, though I do stare a little.
Unlike Kyler, Kai isn’t muscly. Toned, yes. Lean, absolutely.
“Well, maybe I’ll change my mind,” Kai says, crossing his arms over his chest and stealing my view from me. “Maybe I’ll decide to tell you all my secrets, and then you’ll have to tell me yours.”
“When that happens, then that happens.” I give a nonchalant shrug.
“Okay, well …” He struggles for words, seeming a little unsure of my blasé attitude.
I smile, like, a full-on, evil villain, I-just-kicked-your-ass smile. He’s so used to getting his way, and I can tell it’s driving him crazy that I’m not caving in