Page 41 of Falling for the Wrong Guy

I layered up for the ride. I pulled on my warmest jeans, a long underwear shirt, a thick winter sweater and boots. I happened to have a cute leather jacket, a ridiculous impulse buy when Layla and I had stopped at some fashion outlets. I finally had a reason to wear it. I was rushing around to get ready when there was a knock at the door. I glanced at the clock. He was ten minutes early.

My lace-up boots were still untied as I hurried to the door. “Not quite ready.”

It was Isla and Luke. Isla looked pointedly down at my untied boots. “Ready for what? Looks like you’re about to go to an all-night rock concert.”

“Not quite.” I motioned for them to come in. At the same time, I hoped they weren’t staying long. I hugged Luke. He was looking especially handsome in a gray sweater and scarf.

“Are you going out with Kellan?” he asked.

I froze and looked at both of them. I’d forgotten all about the budding friendship between Kellan and Luke. I was fairly certain most of the budding was on Kellan’s side, so I decided to break the news without ceremony.

“Kellan and I broke up.”

“What?” Isla asked. “So, it’s over?”

I nodded.

She looked at Luke and then her shoulders relaxed. “Thank goodness.”

“Really?” I asked.

Luke nodded in agreement. “After our double date he kept texting and calling asking me for contacts and investment tips, and he was hoping I’d introduce him to some of my parents’ wealthy friends.”

“Ugh, how embarrassing. You should have told me.” I sat on the couch to tie my boots.

Isla crouched down to tie the second one. “Luke was going to give him some contacts—for your sake. He figured if you were serious about Kellan, then he didn’t mind helping him out. But I can tell you that neither of us liked him much. He just wasn’t—let’s just say—I pictured you with someone—someone?—”

Luke went to the door to answer a knock. He pulled it open. Dex was dressed in a black leather coat, gloves, jeans and black boots.

“Someone like him,” Isla finished with a sly smile.

I smiled and shook my head at her. “You already knew, didn’t you?”

“Let’s just say Ella was tossing out enough bread crumbs to lead me to the conclusion.”

Dex was still in the doorway looking slightly confused about the houseful of people. “Dex, you’ve met my sister, Isla.”

He nodded. “Good to see you again.”

“Dex, this is Luke Greyson, Isla’s boyfriend.”

The two men nodded cordially and shook hands, but I got the sense that Luke was slightly taken aback by my date choice. I was sure Isla would fill him in on details, but for now, I couldn’t wait to get on that motorcycle.

Luke and Isla walked us out. “You’re riding on a motorcycle,” Luke said in a fatherly tone.

“I’ve got helmets for both of us,” Dex said. “We’re just taking a slow cruise along the coast.”

“I’ll be home by ten,Dad,” I said.

Luke looked slightly embarrassed. I jumped up and kissed his cheek. “But thanks for worrying.” I hugged Isla.

“Oh my gosh,” she whispered in my ear. I nodded in agreement. It was definitely an “oh my gosh” moment.

I pulled on my leather coat, and Isla nodded with approval. “You finally found the perfect use for it.”

I ran my hands over the soft leather. “I knew it’d come in handy.” I had gloves tucked into the pockets.

Isla and Luke left. Dex took off his gloves and spent the next five minutes adjusting the straps on the helmet he brought me. The whole thing was amazingly intimate—his face in front of mine as his fingers grazed my chin and neck while he adjusted the straps. He finally leaned back to look at the fit and nodded. “Perfect.” Then, unexpectedly, he leaned forward and kissed my nose before pulling on his own helmet. It was such a sweet, simple gesture, but it left me temporarily speechless.

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