Page 78 of Clashing
Did I want the answer? Not so much, but heartbroken over Ryker, I’d drunkenly kissed Collin last night. Calling it a kiss was generous. It was sloppy and lasted all of three seconds, but I’ddieif he and Ryker were friends.
“Not exactly. He saved my brother in the Marines.”
I fiddled with my apron.Saved?“Oh.”Is that better?
I cleared my throat. “What are you doing here?”
“Came to see you.” He held up a pair of heels. “You left these in my car last night.”
Tension rippled off Ryker, and I licked my lips.He better not be an ass to Collin.Jealous, uncommitting asshat.
“I’m sorry.” My laugh rattled with nerves as I circled the counter and plucked the heels from him. “I was a little wasted. Thanks for bringing them and for getting me and Hannah home.”
“Not a problem.” He chuckled. “It was pretty fun for me, actually.”
“Yeah, taking care of drunk people isfun.”
His eyes twinkled, smile wide. “When they’re as funny and adorable as you, it is.”
This man is flirting with me.I’d decided to move on from Ryker, but I didn’t want to do it in front of him. No reason to stir that pot more than it already had been.
“Well, thank you.” I inched toward the stairs. “I probably shouldn’t have these sitting out while I’m working.”
“For sure.” He inclined his head to the stairs. “Got a minute? Seems kinda slow.”
“Oh, uh . . .”Don’t look at Ryker. Don’t look at Ryker.I held up the heels. “We could talk while I put these away, but then I gotta get back to work.”
Collin grinned. “Sounds good.”
I started upstairs with him close behind. At the top, I tossed my shoes in my apartment, then faced him with a sheepish smile. “Look, I’mreallysorry about last night. I’m so embarrassed. I wasn’t in a good place.”
“I’m not complaining.” He shot a lingering glimpse at my lips. “I’d like the opportunity to have you kiss me when you’re sober, though. That’s why I came. To ask you out. The shoes were an excuse.”
My mouth fell open. I couldn’t do that. Collin was cute but I wasn’t over Ryker even if I was pissed at him. If the timing were different, I would’ve loved to go out with someone as sweet as Collin. I had a great time with him last night.
This is your fault. You led him on by kissing him.Guilt twisted my stomach. “Collin . . .” The words wouldn’t form. I didn’t want to say no.
“Before you answer.” He held his hands up. “I have a proposition you can’t possibly refuse.”
Huh.Now I was half interested, half annoyed, half impressed at his cockiness.That’s too many halves.Whatever. It was all three. I arched a brow. “What’s that?”
“I may have asked Hannah about you.” His sheepish expression made my lips twitch up. “And Hannah may have told me you want to go to the Cath Riley exhibit this weekend.”
Of fucking course I do.Cath Riley was the reason I got into art. Iadoredher. “Yeah, but it’s probably sold out.”And out of my price range.
Collin raised two tickets, the corner of his mouth curving up. “Not if you know the art director.”
I gaped. “Are you serious?”
“Completely.” He stashed the tickets in his jacket pocket. “But I’m afraid if you want to go, you have to go with me. As my date. And to dinner beforehand. A very date-like dinner. Spoiler alert, there might be flowers because it’s definitely a date.”
Damn, he was good.I shouldn’t say yes.I definitely shouldn’t. But it wasCath Riley. She was my hero, and I’d probably never have another opportunity like this.
Fuck it. Ryker didn’t want me anyway.
“For Cath Riley, I suppose I could endure that.”
“Don’t flatter me too much.” He set his hand over his chest. “So, you’ll go out with me?”
