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Cassie!!!” 
    “Where do you come up with this stuff?” I asked through my laughter.
    “Movies. They have the best lines .” Melissa’s eyes twinkled, matching the huge grin on her face.
    The doorbell rang and my laughter caught in my throat. Shit . I wasn’t ready for this. My deer-in-the-headlights look grabbed Melissa’s attention. “I’ll go let him in and keep him occupied until you’re ready.”
    I sighed. “Thank you.”
    I could hear the sound of our front door creaking open as his friendly voice reverberated down the hall and into my room, causing me to shake nervously. Gripping the fine liner brush tightly with a trembling hand, I finished lining my lips and brushed a soft seashell -colored gloss on top. I smacked my lips together once, then puckered to make sure the gloss was evenly spread.
    Before I left my room, I did a quick squat in front of the mirror. I watched as my low-rise jeans went even lower, revealing far too much of my pink underwear. I pulled my black tank top down around my waist and bent over again. My jeans still pulled low in the back, but my top stayed firm.
    I rounded the corner and heard Jack’s voice stop abruptly when he caught sight of me. “You look adorable, Kitten.” His voice practically purred.
    “That’s it, I’m not going.” I threw my hands up in the air and turned back toward the hall.
    He stopped me with his laughing response. “I’m sorry, Cass. I won’t call you that anymore.”
    “I’m not sure you can help it.” I eyed him narrowly.
    “I might slip up a time or two, but can you really blame me?” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his black and white shorts and then batted his thick eyelashes at me.
    “Yes. Don’t call me Kitten. It’s annoying and it makes me hate you.”
    “Is she always this argumentative?” he asked Melissa through a one-dimpled smirk. 
    She smiled coyly at him. “Not usually. You must be special.”
    Oh my God! She turned into complete mush in two seconds! Traitor !
    I shot Melissa a shocked and horrified glare and turned to see Jack smiling as if he had won the top prize at the fair.
    “Don’t give me that look,” I threatened through gritted teeth.
    “What?” He shrugged his strong, broad shoulders. “You think I’m special. It’s cool.”
    I couldn’t resist rolling my eyes at him. “The only type of special I think you are is e -specially irritating. Like a rash.”
    He let out a quick huff. “Come on, Kit…er, Cassie. Let’s go. It was nice to meet you, Melissa.” He grabbed her little five-foot-two-inch frame and squeezed until she giggled wildly. 
    Traitorous bitch .
    “See you later, Meli.” I shook my head and mouthed, “ I can ’ t believe you !” at her. She waved me away and blew me a kiss.
    Jack led me in the direction of his car. Since I had no idea which one was his, I followed blindly one step behind. He walked over to the passenger side of a vintage white Ford Bronco covered with dents, scratches, and chipped paint.
    “Are you sure this thing’s legal on the streets?” I asked, eyeing the giant, oversized tires and lack of a roof.
    His eyebrows pinched together. “You scared?” 
    “Are you high?” I squinted toward him. “No, really, do you do drugs ’cause I don’t date guys who do drugs.”
    He turned the key and the door unlatched with a pop and squeaked open. Then he took me by the hand and gently helped me up into the seat, placing his hand firmly on my rear.
    “Hands off the ass, Carter,” I snapped.
    “I was just helping you up. Honest.” He feigned innocence as he closed the door behind me. “You sure you’re not scared?”
    “I’m not scared. This car just looks like something that belongs on a sand dune or in a monster truck rally or a repair shop.” I glanced down, noticing the silver-dollar-sized hole in the floor.
    “Is it the tires?” he asked sincerely.
    “They are massive.”
    “Just like my—”
    “I swear to God,” I quickly interrupted