Page 72 of The Kissing Part
How can our relationship ever move forward when Owen keeps bringing up the past? I can’t change the past. And I’ve apologizedmany times.
A car slows to drive alongside me. I give it a sideways glance, a beige sedan. My heart races, and I walk faster.Please don’t let it be Matt.
The car keeps up with me.
I break into a cold sweat, debating my options. I could hit him with my tote. I could run. Which direction? No one’s home at Owen’s house. Where’s the police station again?
The car speeds ahead of me and parks. The driver’s side door opens and slams shut.
I do an about-face, heading back to Owen’s house as fast as I can.
“Shayla!” a male voice calls. “Can I give you a ride somewhere?”
I stop. That voice sounds familiar. I turn to see Owen’s cousin Finn and nearly collapse in relief.
He grins as he approaches. “Like my new car? Well, it’s new to me. Olivia paid me overtime to finish painting faster.”
I bite back a smile. I let her increase his pay at her sincere request. She couldn’t handle a gorgeous younger man taking an interest in her. That’s not in her five-year world-domination plan.
He takes my suitcases from me, lifting them like they weigh nothing. “Where you headed?”
I point to my house down the block. “Home.”
“Guess you’re done living with Owen.”
“Afraid so.”
“Wait until you see your place. The crown molding really pops against the new colors on the walls. You’re going to love it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be with your bodyguard?”
I pat his shoulder. “You’ll do just fine.”
His chest puffs out. “I am a black belt. Mom was worried about me going to college in the big scary city, so Dad got me into krav maga a couple of summers ago too. Part of my street-smarts education.”
“You’re lucky to have parents like that to guide you. And nice siblings too.”
“Yeah, they’re great. Too bad Cooper is so damn annoying, still playing the big-brother card. I’m a frigging adult now. If they can draft me, then I can make my own decisions.”
“Oh, come on. What’d he do that’s so bad?”
“Always giving advice. And you’d think he’d invented getting with a woman. I hope he meets a woman who knocks him on his ass. Not literally. You know what I mean.”
I smile despite my current state of angst over Owen. It’s hard not to smile around Finn. “That doesn’t sound too bad to me.”
He shoots me a look.
“I mean how annoying.”
“Right?”
We arrive at my house. I send a quick text to Olivia that I’m here and why.Moving back in because it’s over with Owen. I don’t want to startle her by opening the door when everyone’s always on alert for an unexpected visitor.
I glance around behind me. Coast is clear. Finn smiles at me encouragingly. I open the door with my key.
Zander and Olivia are in the front room, and they don’t look happy.
