Page 54 of Text Me Baby One More Time

“Yes,” I lie. “I was going to Uber from your place to mine.”

“You were going to call a car at this hour? And what—get murdered?”

He throws my words from last week back at me with a grin.

Can’t believe I just kissed this asshole.

Actually, yes, I totally can.

He’s hot and I’m horny. Anything will do right about now, even Shep…especially Shep.

Oh my god, shut up, Denny!

“I’m using this exact moment as justification during my murder trial.”

“That sounded a lot like, ‘You’re right, Shep, that’s just insane. Can I please stay the night? I promise not to molest you at two AM…or maybe I don’t.’”

“Huh. That soundednothinglike that, especially the last part.”

“Our lines are definitely getting crossed then,” he says seriously.

“I’m not going home with you, Shep.”

“What if I promise not to get frisky with you at two AM?”

“Or three…or four…or five, for that matter.”

“Well, shit.” He sighs. “There goes my whole plan for the night.”

“Creep.”

“You love it.” He pokes my cheek. “But, seriously, Den, stay the night. We can sleep in separate bedrooms. It won’t be weird at all. It’s late, and by the time we get back, it’ll be after midnight. I’m sure you’re tired. Stay.”

He’s right. Iamtired. Sure, he claims we don’t live too far from each other and Iprobablywouldn’t get murdered on the ride home, but I don’t want to risk it.

There’s just the unpleasant matter of staying in Shep’s domain for an entire night.

That part might be tricky.

“We’re friends, right? This is something friends would do.”

“Would friends also make out in the back of a truck like horny teenagers?”

“Totally.” No hesitation from him.

“Shep…”

“Just say yes,” he insists.

I want to say no. Ishouldsay no. It’s on the tip of my tongue…

“Yes.”

* * *

I’m goingto regret this in the morning, I know it already.

“You coming?”

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