Page 72 of Almost Love

Clementine snorted and shook her head. “I don’t care anymore. I left Iowa and moved onto bigger and better things.”

“Yeah, you did. Because you’re a fucking badass and nothing can take you down.”

“It did for a while,” she admitted softly as their food was set in front of them. “A few years ago, there was this guy. Xander. He came into the shop every day, was really charming and funny. Flirted with me a lot and I really liked it. Until…” trailing off, she chewed on her bottom lip, eyes flicking up to meet his wide ones. “He ordered a cake for his girlfriend.”

She paused to pick at a fry before adding, “I had this massive crush on him. It felt so ridiculous and childish, you know? Like I was so enamored that I didn’t stop to read all the signs.”

He nodded, but never took his eyes off her. It didn’t matter that delicious food was steaming in front of him, he watched her.

“I had a crush on you the minute we met. And I no longer trust my crushes, because I tend to spiral. That’s why I kept pushing you away. But you’re relentless.” She laughed to lighten the moment, because it had suddenly gotten so heavy between them. “I know that you’re different, but it’s still scary.”

“I had a crush on you too.”

“Obviously,” she muttered, ignoring her racing heart.

“I saw you before you even knew I existed. I’ve been crushing on you for a while, Clem.”

“You don’t have to say that to make me happy.”

“I’m not kidding, babe. I came by the bakery a week before the Christmas party and was almost late to my interview at the tattoo shop because I was so fucking captivated by you. When I saw you, I wanted you, and maybe ‘crush’ is too mild a word for that.” She paused mid-chew and looked at him. “Istillwant you.”

“Oak…”

“I want to make another addendum to our deal.”

“Do people really say addendum?”

He snorted. “I know you’re still coming to terms with this, but I’d like more, Clem. I want to date you, be with you all the fucking time and I don’t want to be some dirty secret.”

“You’re not a dirty secret.”

“Weare a secret, baby. I get it. I understand having everyone offer their opinions or judgment is the fucking worst. But wearesneaking around.”

She chewed on her bottom lip and nodded slowly, because he wasn’t wrong. The whole point of their friends with benefits arrangement was so they could have fun together.

“Donuts and cake, and all the sex we’ll have is great. But when you’re not with me, you’re all I think about. When you’re here, I never want you to leave.”

“Why agree to all this if you wanted more?”

“Because you’ve got me twisted up, sweetheart. I don’t really know how else to explain it. The wildest part is, I’d feel this way even without the sex.”

It was shocking to hear him say this stuff toher, because wasn’t this the kind of thing she said in her letters and poems? Until Oakley, not a single one of those people wanted her thatway. To have this man feelthatway about her was going to take some time to register.

Tucking her hair behind an ear, she said, “This is a lot.”

“Fuck, I know. I’m sorry,” he said, sliding out of his chair to kneel beside her. Taking her hands in his, Oakley kissed her knuckles. “I didn’t mean to force you. You don’t have to want this.”

“I want you. This is going a lot faster than I expected.”

“I’m happy to slow it down.”

Cupping his face, fingers scraping against his scruffy jaw, she said, “Be patient with me.”

“Always.”

“Okay.”

“Yeah?”

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