Page 104 of Not Dating Material

Those pleasant little nerves tickle at my gut at the warmth in his tone. No matter what Dad says, I’m not imagining things. Seven feels something for me, but convincing him to admit it will be the hard part. Getting him to be vulnerable is something that he’ll fight me on.

But I want to try.

Madden’s got a date set up for me, but I have no interest in following through on that if I have even the slightest chance with the man lying next to me.

His gaze is steady on me as I burrow under the blankets and wriggle in close to his side. I’m careful not to touch him—I can be good, dammit—but it’s this closeness I’ve been craving all day.

“I talked to my dad,” I finally say.

“Oh, yeah?”

“And you were right—don’t get a big head about it. Maybe I haven’t been filling him in as much as I could have been.”

Seven gazes warmly down at me. “What did you talk about?”

“My life here. How I’m enjoying it. Filled him in on all of you guys.”

“Oh, yeah. Like what?”

“Like how you’re helping me not be such an idiot on dates.”

Seven cringes. “Not sure that makes me come across in the best light.”

I latch onto the thought. “Does it matter?”

“Well, it’s not like I want your dad hating me.”

“Why?”

“Because … because, well, you’re my friend. Obviously.”

“Obviously.”

He chuckles. “Stop looking at me like that.”

I sigh. “Am I being cute again?”

“The cutest. You need to learn how to turn that off.”

“Why would I do that when I get to use it against you?”

“That so?” He shakes his head. “What do you want to use it against me for?”

Now, that’s a question. There’s so, so much about Seven that’s still a mystery, but I have to be careful not to push, not to try and take more than he’s ready to give.

“Information.”

Confusion crosses his brow. “I was expecting sex stuff.”

“Nah, I don’t need to trick you into that. Besides, I said I’d keep my hands to myself.”

“I’m beginning to regret making that deal. I think I’d prefer you to feel me up than talk.”

“We could do both. Talk, and then I’ll feel you up.”

“Don’t phrase it like it’s a compromise. That’s you getting both of the things you want.”

I smile angelically, which only makes Seven roll his eyes.

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