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A knock at the door startled her and her heart started pounding fast against her ribs Was that hi fingers s down the front of her dress
To her surprise, Charlie walked into the roo a plain t-shirt and black pants instead of a ratty slogan shirt and knee-bitten jeans, and with his hair so short he looked older Stronger More appealing Jerk
"Whoa" He drew to an abrupt halt, his dark eyes wide as they soaked in the sight of her When his gaze finally returned to her face, Ari was sure she was blushing like crazy Charlie had never looked at her with such blatant interest before
"Don’t look at me like that" She squirmed uncomfortably
"Then poke my eyes out because I can’t look at you any other way" His eyes darkened with "
"Thank you" Why did he have to look like a kicked puppy all the ti drawn back in Deliberately avoiding his gaze, Ari puttered around the roo her phone and some make-up to put in her clutch purse
"You sure you want to do this?" Charlie asked quietly "It could be dangerous We don’t knoho’s following you or if that Dalí guy knohere you are"
"It’ll be fine"
"What about Jai?"
Ari’s heart kicked into overdrive "What about Jai?"
"Well, I don’t trust him with you any normal day You with him, dressed like that? I don’t think so"
Stupidly pleased at the insinuation that Jai was attracted to her, Ari hid a hopeful smile and waved Charlie off "It’s Jai, OK He takes his job seriously I’m like an inaniht I’m serious, Ari You should see the way he looks at you when you’re not watching"
Another thrill shot through her and this time she couldn’t contain the little shiver that rippled down her spine "He doesn’t see me like that," she insisted
At the silence from her friend, Ari turned around slowly and aze His jaas taut and she noted the flicker of hurt in his eyes "Do you want hiuilty and flustered, Ari shook her head frantically "No Look, I’, right?" Charlie’s eyes sparked with realization "You’re into hiued stupidly before she res for Jai fro Jai "That’s not even the point There is nothing between us There never will be"
Charlie’s expression softened with an eut "Yeah, you’re right There never will be Because he’s not a relationship guy, Ari Trey told et up to oht find you attractive, and to be honest he’d have to be dead not to, but there won’t ever be anything more" His mouth twisted bitterly "I just didn’t realize you wanted more fro it out of his own jealousy and Ari knew that But there was truth in there too Jai had already told her the sa she’d prefer to be deaf to Suddenly reraveside, Ari grew cal all her e Charlie her best blank look, she shrugged nonchalantly "I don’t want anything fros from people they inevitably disappoint you"
The retort found its mark and Charlie stepped back fro her know he got it and he backed out of the roo the door shut in his wake
The look on Jai’s face was priceless Ari wished soain, especially on days when he’d been particularly jackass-like The way he made her feel as she walked towards him in the entrance hall was indescribable Not only did it distract her frouilt she felt for how she’d spoken to Charlie but it , intense, lush need in her gut she’d be able to make a fortune on it Every woman in the world would feel like the most beautiful creature that ever lived Proud of herself for not flushing under Jai’s heated gaze, Ari drew to a stop inches fro a black t-shirt and black jeans, the tiny little diaht frouardian looked and s her hand fro jaw; a jaw that was clenched with unnamed emotion as he looked at her so fiercely
Possessively
Ari shivered