Page 28 of Text Me Baby One More Time

He grits his teeth together and hisses, “Yes.”

I point the spatula at him. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

He rolls his eyes in response.

“How does this involve me?”

“My parents and Zach have come to accept AJ as another member of the family over the years since he moved out here. They’ll be at the wedding for sure, and I want you to be my date.”

“No.”

My response is instant. Final.

There isnoway in hell I’ll be attending a wedding with Shep.

Especiallynot with Shep.

A charity event? Sure. We’ll be in a professional context the whole time. There’s no way anything could go wrong there.

But a wedding? The most romantic setting of all? No way, no how.

Why would I do that? To remind myself of everything I don’t have?

I flip the pancake, ignoring Shep.

Moments later he pushes off the counter and past me.

“Where are you going?” I say before I can bite my tongue. I’ve been hoping he’d leave since he got here, so why would I want him to stay now? And what is with my body betraying me today?

“I’m leaving.”

“We’re not done discussing this.”

He stops and turns toward me. “But we are. You said no to one of my conditions—no deal.”

“Shep, I cannotgo to Allie and AJ’s wedding with you.”

“Why not?” He appears calm and collected, but I know better as he stalks back toward the counter, his hazel gaze intense. “I’m not asking you to marry me, Den.”

God, do I hate how much his words sting.

Hate how my heart begins to thump in my chest and my entire body sags with the overwhelming weight of his words.

I slide the pancake from the skillet and onto the waiting plate, pouring more batter in its place.

“It’s not even a real date,” he continues, speaking like he didn’t just shatter my heart in two all over again. “Besides, we’ll already be paired up the entire night as best man and maid of honor. What’s the harm in being my date, especially when it gets you that interview and probably that promotion?”

He has a point…and I hate that he has a point.

I particularly hate that I’m actually considering saying yes. I could use that raise. I could use that foot in the door.

More than that, I deserve both.

What’s the harm in one night anyway?

“I…”

I can’t say it.

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