Page 74 of Size King

“I was checking out Luke’s new ride,” I explain. “He got a Lamborghini.”

“Wow,” she says, impressed. “That’s a nice car.”

“Yeah, it is,” I say. “He’ll have to show you soon. Say, would you maybe want to get dinner tonight? I realize this is coming out of the blue.”

“I showed up at your place and told you I’m pregnant with your child,” she interrupts. “I’m the one that came to you out of nowhere. You can come to me out of the blue a few times. It’s okay.”

“Well, it’s just, you know, you’re a model, so I don’t know how your schedule looks,” I stammer. “If you had time, I’d say we should get dinner. If not, it’s all good.”

“Mason, I’d love to,” says Jillian.

I chuckle happily to myself, instantly thinking of potential places to take her.

“Great!” I say. “What time should we shoot for?”

“Well, I’m on a shoot today. I’m actually on break right now. I should be done with the shoot at six. Do we want to plan for dinner at seven?”

“That sounds great,” I agree. “Want me to pick you up at seven? Or should I get to you before that?”

“You don’t have to come and get me,” she says. “I can get a ride.”

“I insist.”

“If you insist,” she easily relents. “I’ll text you my address when we hang up.”

“All right, I’ll see you soon, Jillian,” I say as I feel the hot beach sand sliding onto my feet. I hang up feeling triumphant.

I arriveat her address before seven and wait outside. I lean against my car, considering texting her to let her know I am there, but I don’t want to pressure her to move faster after a full day of work. I chill, listening to the sounds of L.A. traffic in the distance.

She texts, “Coming out.”

When she comes out, I am mesmerized. She looks stunning, walking out in high heels and wearing a sheer green dress with her back exposed. Her flowing blond hair looks particularly inviting. She is smiling wider the closer she gets—I’m staring at her, so she is amused.

“How do I look?” she asks.

I want to take her right then and there. I want her dress to land on the floor of my car.

“You look way too damn good,” I say.

“You’re not so bad yourself, handsome,” says Jillian. “Where are we going tonight?”

“Why don’t we find out?” I reply vaguely. I hold open her door, shutting it before going back to my side.

I turn the car on, restarting the radio and my playlist. A song by The Killers comes on, and it seems like she recognizes it. I watch her bobbing her beautiful head up and down to the beat, relaxing among all the insanity that lay before us both.

Our eyes eventually meet, and we both look away. We each understand how the other is feeling. Then I reach over and put my hand on her thigh.

“We’re in a public place,” she mutters quietly. “And people can see into your car.”

“I’ll take you in the back seat right now,” I say, inching closer to her.

“I think it’s best if we try toavoidgetting arrested,” she says. “I don’t think either of us needs a criminal record.”

“I’d like to not ever have a criminal record,” I comment.

“I think we may have already pushed the envelope in terms of public foreplay,” she considers. “The night we met? In the cab? Maybe we shouldn’t push our luck.”

“We could go back inside.” I eye her apartment behind us.