Page 71 of Love or Leave

He hit reply to her text, started typing, then deleted it. He did it again. And again. Until, eventually, it really was time to get back to work.

It wouldn't be at all fair to her to tell her what was truly on his mind, but his stomach rolled with the possibility of her spending the night with Jalen.

He'd fallen way harder and faster than he'd expected. And fighting it was becoming impossible.

He closed the conversation without sending any reply and stood from the table. He hoped that by ten o'clock, when his workday ended, his mind would be free of these thoughts and he wouldn’t do something stupid.

nineteen

The front seat of Jalen's car was closing in on Cara and she couldn't breathe.

She covertly pulled out her phone and checked it for the fifteenth time since they'd left the arena. Four minutes? She fought off the overwhelming urge to roll the window down and gasp for air.

That would make her look a little unhinged. Especially considering the temperature was unseasonably low. At least they were halfway to her house, and this date would finally be over.

The next time she was on the fence about a guy, she'd drive herself.

The night had started out okay. The drive from Monroe Manor to the arena was fine. Almost natural, even. She had high hopes.

But before they even sat down, Jalen started talking about the players’ stats and ranking in the league and which players had already been scouted by the NHL. She'd spent the entire night feigning interest and trying to change the subject.

After the game, she suggested going somewhere to play pool, but he shrugged off her suggestion, gave her a smirk and said, "Let's get outta here."

She wasn't sure what hethoughtwas going to happen, but considering she'd been wanting the date to end, she'd just smiled and nodded and let him lead her out to his car.

The drop off was going to be pretty fucking awkward.

She glanced in his direction, and he turned toward her with a smile and an eyebrow wag.

Fuck.

She really wished she liked him more. He was very attractive. And he wasn't an asshole. But something was just… off.

He's not Antonio.

How messed up was that?

She was on a date with a nice, sexy guy who was clearly very into her, and all she could think about was Antonio.

Her brother's friend, who cheats on girls, was still married, and told her he wanted his wife.

The click-clack of the car’s turn signal pulled her mind from her troubles, and when she looked up, she realized they were home.

She started spinning her bracelet around her wrist, her mind whirring. She should have spent the drive figuring out what to say to Jalen to end whatever this was. Now she'd have to wing it.

She hated winging it.

He pulled the car down the long gravel driveway and eased to a stop right in front of the porch. What the hell was she going to say? Could she just make a quick escape and dash into the house? She could send him a text later and tell him it wasn't working.

That was a terrible plan, but the only one she had, so she unbuckled her seatbelt.

"This was fun—"

"I'll walk you to your door."

He said it as he moved. Before she could protest, he was already out of the car.

Goddammit.

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