Page 51 of Tempting Me

Hell, listen to me. My brain clicks in that I like her, and now all of a sudden I’m letting her just … how bad do I have it?

I step back to where she can’t see me and turn to let myself out of the store.

As I make my way back to my truck, all I can think isdid she even have a date tonight?

I can’t keepthe smile off my face as I watch Shay step out of the bar where she was having her so-called date.

Ha.

If it weren’t for the fact that I saw her in the bookstore, the to-go container in her hand would be pretty convincing.

Hell, up until I saw her, I had no reason to doubt that she wasn’t on a real date. What really boggles me is why she lied. I have a hunch, of course, but I’m starting to wonder if I can’t get her to crack and tell me the truth.

Our eyes meet through the front window of my truck, and she gives me a tight-lipped smile before she looks away.

She’s not thrilled that I invited myself to drive her to Wind Valley, and I have to look away to keep myself from laughing.

Now I know why.

I get out and meet her at her door.

“Oh, really, Luca. I can get in a truck on my own.”

“I know, but a good date would get the door for you, and since he seems to be lacking, I guess I’ll have to do it.”

She climbs in, zero response to my comment, and I can't help it. I smile the entire way back to my side and keep on smiling when I get in.

“Hi,” I say and then lean back.

“Hi,” she says with a little wrinkle between her eyes as she looks at me. “What’s with the creeper grin?”

“Nothing.”

I do my best to control it, but I just can’t stop smiling at her.

“Are we going?” she asks and clicks her seat belt into place.

“Sure, yeah.”

Her gaze narrows as she looks at me one more time before staring straight out the window.

“Let’s go then.”

Now, there are two ways I can go about this. One, pretend that she was on a date the way she’s doing and just move on with my night, or two, see how far she’s willing to take this lie.

This situation right here is the most exciting one I've been in in a while, so I have to go with the latter.

Plus, you know, this whole newfound crush thing makes me suspicious as hell.

Especially because, despite not knowing what ishappening right now, whatever she’s pulling makes me even more interested in her.

How twisted am I?

“The truck isn’t moving,” she states and points at the road.

“How was your date?” I cross my arms.

Seems I don’t have any plans to start driving. I’m just going by the seat of my pants here.

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