something to smooth her dander.
Unfortunately, he didn't respond very apologetically.
"Perhaps that should be your next lesson in being more like
me. Get used to nicknames. Becky, Becca, Bec. Bex, Bexy.
Rebby, Reb. Come on! Nicknames are fun."
Most people respected her request for a full name.
Instead, his pushback lodged even more quills into her skin.
She made a fist and clenched her teeth. A long moment
passed.
"Okay, I get it. Rebecca. My apologies." He lightened the
mood with some Wizard of Oz. "Don't forget, I'm the
Scarecrow." He took on the Scarecrow's goofy voice. "'I'm
not bright about doing things.'"
His Oz reference was the perfect response. Rebecca
lightened a bit and took a few breaths. "Okay, apology
accepted." They started down the street while she quietly
stewed. Sadly, his apology wasn't really enough.
Who am I kidding? It suddenly dawned on Rebecca that
she was giving him entirely too much leeway. Sure he was
phenomenally good looking, well built, and could kiss her
numb. But how long would that last, when he drooled over
every woman he met?
And what else did he have going for him? The poor
moocher leaned on all his friends and had already leaned
on her, too. With no job and no home, he'd be needing
more soon. Was she so thrilled with one kiss that she'd let
this guy take her for a ride? What if he robbed her? She
suddenly didn't trust him anymore.
Rebecca stopped and turned to O.E. She tried to give
him a warm smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "I'm
sorry, O.E. You're a very attractive man, and your kisses are
memorable. But we have no future together. I just broke up
with a difficult boyfriend. Now I feel like I'm taking up with
another one. I need someone who I respect, who I think is
amazing. And I'm afraid I don't think you're very amazing."
She took a breath. "Let's not waste our time. I really think
this is going nowhere."
"Hey! I've got much more in me than one kiss."
Rebecca frowned. "It's not enough. We're so wrong for
each other. I mean, the kiss was great, but if we continue
any further, I'll end up in bed with you."
"And this is a problem because. . ."
All right. I deserved that one. Rebecca didn't have the
energy to explain all of the reasons why it would be wrong
to end up in bed with O.E. Even his magnetic attraction
couldn't compete with her disappointment at that moment.
She stood tall and looked at him like he was a cute puppy