Page 57 of The One Night Dash
The door shuts behind me,and the cold morning air sobers me up faster than a practice session going up against our D. The black SUV idles at the curb, and Joel hops out, always too chipper for this hour.
“Morning, Dash. Her room’s cleaned up, no lingering evidence. Clothes are with the cleaner. Your flight’s on time.”
“Good man.” I drop into the back seat, duffel thumping beside me.
Joel slides in up front, glancing at me in the rearview. “You look like you didn’t sleep.”
“Didn’t,” I mutter, running a hand over my jaw. “Worth it.”
He smirks but wisely keeps his mouth shut.
“Listen,” I say, leaning forward. “I need you back here after you drop me off. I want you to take her to New York. And, until then, I need you available for her.”
Joel raises a brow. “You want me to babysit your …friend?”
“Not babysit—support. Big difference.” I point a finger at him. “She’s got a flow. Work, bookstore, watches games at Nalani and Koa’s when we’re out of town. If I roll in like awrecking ball, I’ll screw it all up, and she’ll bolt. I need you to get a feel for her schedule, help me not be an idiot.”
Joel chuckles. “So you want me to track her routine to make you more …romantic?”
“Exactly.” I sigh. “I’m like … a thoughtful guy with terrible impulse control.”
He laughs so hard the SUV wobbles in the lane. “Dash Sterling. Mr. One-and-Done. Mr. Can’t-Be-Tied-Down. You really hired me on full-time to drive you and manage your impulse control?”
“Shut up, and do your job,” I joke … sort of.
He’s still grinning when he signals for the exit ramp. “You know, most guys ask for help dodging women. You? You’re out here trying to build the Boyfriend Deluxe package before she even agrees to date you.”
I lean back against the seat, a smirk tugging at my mouth despite myself. “Just got done telling her we’re a couple.”
“Telling her?” He chuckles.
“Look, most guys aren’t about to lock down a girl like Noelle Pembrooke, and I’m gonna make sure none do. So, yeah, I told her.”
Joel whistles low, shaking his head. “She has no idea what’s coming, does she?”
“Nope,” I say, staring out the window, already itching for the next time I see her. “But I’ll make sure it’s worth it.”
“You sure you’re ready for this?” he asks.
“Damn right I am.” I nod.
I will not fuck this chance up again.
FIFTEEN
NOELLE
I’m stillin his shirt.
The thought alone has me burying my face in the pillow, grinning like an idiot, kicking my feet like a freshman at college. I can’t help it. Because last night wasn’t supposed to happen, not like that, and definitely not withhim.
Dash Sterling. The One Night Dash. The guy who never sticks, never stays, never slows down long enough for anyone. He’s the spotlight, the laugh too loud, the body every camera wants on their reel. And me? I hate the spotlight, but hot damn, did I love his moves.
Not just that, but the things he said—God, the things he whispered at that wedding. The way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the room worth seeing when I used to consider myself the plain old duck among the sorority swans. It all comes rushing back in flashes. The sway of the dance floor, the heat of his hands, his mouth on my neck. And then last night, the way he pulled my hair back when I couldn’t keep it together, the patience in his hands as he brushed my teeth when I literally couldn’t anymore. Incredibly hotandmaddeningly sweet.
Too good to be true. That’s what he feels like. Too hot, too cocky, tooDash Sterling.And also, my fun-loving, hot-as-hell ex-best friend’s ex-fuck. The universe clearly loves irony.
I roll over and spot it on the nightstand. Two keys. His and mine. And a folded note written in sharp, heavy strokes:
