Page 78 of Objection to Love

“Oh yeah. Sorry about that.” He merged onto the highway, but something in his expression sparked curiosity in Em.

“What’s that face for?”

“What face?” He quickly wiped all expression from his face.

“The one that says you’re not telling me something.”

He glanced sidelong at her, his mouth quirking up. “I might have lied about needing your tools.”

“Lied? Why?”

“Because I wanted to see my cute neighbor.”

“Awwww,” April cut in from the backseat, making Garrett’s grin widen.

“Iknewthere was no way you couldn’t find a screwdriver!”

Garrett caught her hand before she could jokingly hit him with it. He pressed a kiss to it. “You can’t really blame me. Even with the lie I need to use like seven back doors just to get you to go out with me.”

“Awwww,” April said again.

Em shook her head, laughing. “Fine, I don’t blame you. And because I think you’re pretty cute, you can borrow my tools even longer. Just don’t be surprised if I call on you for all my furniture-putting-together needs.”

“Fair trade,” he said, looking over at her with a look packed full of warmth.

He held her hand tightly in his and Em settled back in her chair. With how good the last few minutes had made her feel, she’d almost forgotten how angry she’d gotten at her parents’ house.

“Hey,” Garrett said quietly once April and Jackson had started a conversation between themselves in the back seat.

“Yeah?”

“That was pretty amazing… you standing up for yourself back there.” He lifted her hand, kissing the back of it again.

“Thanks.” She smiled at him. She was pretty proud of herself too.

Chapter 26

Em

“CanImakeyoudinner?” Garrett asked after dropping off April and Jackson at their house. They only lived about eight minutes from Em’s.

She thought about it for half a second. Part of her was exhausted, part of her was still emotionally confused regarding Garrett’s leaving in a month, and another part of her wanted to spend every available moment with him. That part was winning.

“Depends,” she said.

“On?”

“If you’re a good cook.”

His low laughter was barely audible. “You should know—we’ve eaten at my house at least five times now.”

“But you never reallymadedinner. Just popped a pizza in the oven. Not that I’m complaining—I love pizza!”

He laughed a little harder. “I love pizza too. But regarding my being a good cook—I’m not really, to be honest. But I have a few good dishes that I can whip up.”

“Then, by all means, I won’t say no to a free meal.”

“Ouch, does that mean you’re only in this relationship for the monetary value?”

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