Page 84 (1/2)

“I thought the custoht”

He cocks his head to the side, pretends to think for a second Then says, “Nope Not always But hey, how about this? I’ll ive the Ethan Special a try” He pushes the smoothie a little closer to me “Come on Just one sip”

“I didn’t realize this was a negotiation”

“Life is a negotiation”

“No It’s a cereal” I eye the smoothie “What if I don’t like it?”

“What if you do?”

“It’s an unnecessary risk”

“Al is an unnecessary risk So now, but the look in his eyes is intense Interested Interesting It tugs at so deep inside me, makes me wonder, when I never wonder Makes me want, when I never want

That’s when I take a step back and look at him, really look at him Except for his dark hair, he’s the quintessential California surf buht blue Hurley T-shirt Quiksilver board shorts ide, color-blocked stripes in red, orange, yellow, and blue Tan leather flip-flops Gorgeous face Dark stubble on his chin Too-long hair flopping in his eyes Even the hint of a tattoo peeking out from under the rolled-up sleeve of his shirt Totally not the kind of guy I would noro for

And yet there’s soues me That makes me want to yield to him when I don’t normally yield to anyone For aup that stupid purple shake and drinking it I’ by if I don’t eat so

I could just walk away, grab a sandwich and some fruit fro Three But that feels toothat I suddenly realize would disappoint us both

Whichnew Me insisting I’ht to have, especially with a stranger, but the look in his eyes can’t be denied We both know there’son here than a battle over a stupid drink

I can’t believe I’oing to take a sip of that damn smoothie, but I am I reach for it, am compelled to reach for it by the look in his eyes and the sudden tension in his body But as rowls Loudly

It breaks the spell and I flush in ele with the juice bar guy and suddenly eance

“You’re hungry,” he says His voice is colored with a sudden regret I don’t understand