As Hot as It Gets
Page 10

A laugh flew out. “Who says you’ll enjoy the first one enough to request a follow-up?”
“Oh, I’ll enjoy it.” He cocked a brow. “So will you, by the way.”
“I will, huh? I guess we’ll just have to see about that.”
“Yup, we sure will.” Jackson reached into the back pocket of his faded jeans and pulled out a cell phone. “Now give me your number, sugar. I’ll call you tonight to set up the details for our date.”
His confidence was a little unnerving. So was the cocky glint in his eyes.
But since it was too late to back out, she dutifully recited her number so he could enter it into his phone.
All the while wondering exactly what she’d just gotten herself into.
“I’m sorry, I think I misheard you,” Mia’s brother said the next evening. “Did you just say you had a date tonight?”
Mia ignored his shocked tone and brushed past him, her bare feet slapping the hardwood floor on her way to the bathroom.
“Really, a date?” Danny trailed after her, disregarding all the manners she’d tried to instill in him by following her right into the washroom.
Mia glared at him in the mirror over the vanity. “Go away, kiddo. I have about ten minutes to learn how to put on makeup.”
With that, she opened the medicine cabinet and grabbed the plastic bin that housed all the unopened beauty supplies she never used.
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me about this date,” Danny said with a broad smile. “Who is he? Where did you meet? And why does he want to go out with you?”
She ripped open a package of mascara and tossed the wrapping in the pink wastebasket. “Ha-ha. You’re a comedian. Hey, do you know how to use this thing?”
As she held up the plastic tube, Danny stared at her as if she’d grown horns and sprouted a tail.
Then he opened his mouth and shouted, “Angie, get in here! Mia needs you to make her look attractive!”
Mia glowered at her brother again. “Eff you,” she grumbled.
A few seconds later, Danny’s girlfriend dove into the bathroom in record time. Her fair face was flushed and her blue eyes shone with curiosity. “What’s going on? What do you guys need?”
“Mia doesn’t know how to put on makeup,” Danny announced before rolling his eyes. “Jeez. I’m a dude and even I know how to put on makeup.”
Mia stifled a groan. “I’m fine. I really don’t need help.”
“She really needs help,” Danny said.
Angie’s entire face brightened as she released a happy cry. “Oh my God! I’ve been waiting months for this moment! BRB—just gonna get my makeup kit from my backpack!”
As the blonde flew off in a whirl of excitement, Mia scowled at her brother. “Now look what you’ve done. I’ll never leave this bathroom.”
“Trust me, Ang is good with this kind of stuff. She wants to be a makeup artist.” Danny edged out the door. “I’m grabbing some chips so I have something to snack on while I watch you turn into a real girl.”
As he wandered off, Mia stared at her reflection in the mirror and heaved a massive sigh. Damn it, why had she agreed to this date? She hated all this girly shit.
And why was she even trying to pretty herself up? She wasn’t planning on seducing Jackson—or even seeing him again after tonight. What she really ought to do was show up at the restaurant in sweats and with her hair in a ponytail. At least then he wouldn’t want a second date.
Footsteps sounded from the hall again, signaling Angie’s return. Argh. Danny just had to open his big mouth. Now thanks to him, she was officially at his girlfriend’s mercy.
Not that she disliked Angie or anything. In fact, she adored her. Angela Marks might be a cheerleader, but ditzy she was not. The sixteen-year-old was sweet, smart, unbelievably kind—and a virgin, to boot. A fact Mia had discovered when grilling the girl the first time Danny brought her home.
Just because Mia had lost her own virginity at sixteen didn’t mean she wanted the same for her brother, but as far as she knew, Danny and his girlfriend still hadn’t done the deed even after a year of dating. And she was damn grateful for that.
“Okay, tell me everything,” Angie said after she’d ordered Mia to sit on the closed toilet seat. “Who is he? Is he cute?”
“His name is Jackson and he’s very cute,” Mia admitted. “But don’t bust out any parades, hon. I probably won’t see him again after tonight.”
“Why not? You never go out, Mia. You totes deserve to have some fun.”
“I’m too busy for that.” Her jaw dropped when the younger girl deposited an enormous zipped case on the counter. “What on earth do you keep in there? Rocks?”
“Every girl needs a fully stocked makeup kit,” Angie said firmly. “We’ll go out this weekend and buy you one.”
“Naah, I’ll pass.”
Danny’s voice came from the doorway. “Stop being a grouch. Angie’s right. It’s about time you started caring about your appearance. I don’t want a spinster for a sister.”
“Um, excuse me, but us spinsters prefer the term old maid,” she said stiffly.
Angie burst out laughing. “You’re awesomely funny. Jackson is going to love you.”
“Jackson?” Danny echoed curiously. “Is that his name?”
“Yep,” Angie answered for Mia. “And supposedly he’s very cute.”