Page 22 of In Too Deep

“Okay…so, what are you aiming for here?”

His hands slide down my arms, and goosebumps form in their wake. “I just don’t want you to cut me out of your life or write us off.”

I lift my arms to buck him off. “I can’t cut you out of my life. You’re not part of it. You haven’t been for a long time.”

“You aren’t going to make this easy on me, are you?” he muses. I cross my arms, my lips pursing as I hold back my smile, and shake my head. “All right, fair enough. Then I guess I’m saying I want back in.”

“You’re asking me to put a lot of trust in you. Do you really believe one night warrants that?”

“No… but I think our history does. And I think the last couple days have proven there’s still a strong connection between us. I think you owe it to yourself and your relationship with Spencer to explore it a little further.”

My stomach knots. I’m not sure if what he’s saying only seems to make sense because I’m trying to hold on to him when I shouldn’t, but I know I’m not strong enough to send him away again.

Right or wrong, good or bad, I want to see what’s happening here.

“Let’s say I agree, how does this work?”

“I’m not entirely sure…” He shrugs a shoulder, giving me a crooked smile. “We can start by eating some Chinese food together. Maybe throw in a little conversation. Then I’ll go home, and we’ll see how things play out from there.”

I take a deep breath, holding it for several seconds before it comes rushing back out. My eyes flicker to the bag on the counter, then back to Lawrence. “Okay, we can eat. But only because I haven’t eaten all day and I’m starving. It doesn’t mean anything. And you’re leaving as soon as we’re done.”

“Whatever you say, KitKat.” He winks at me, and my heart flutters as his face lights up.

He’s practically bouncing with excitement as he begins unpacking the food.

13

Scooting to the edge of the couch, Lawrence leans over to reach the coffee table, and I shamefully study him as he digs through the bag. At the time, it seemed like a good idea to eat dinner in the living room instead of the kitchen. I thought it would be more casual. More of a friendly thing and less romantic. But it hasn’t felt that way at all. Between the soft lighting and the memory of the kiss we shared in here just yesterday, my mind has been wandering to inappropriate places, daydreams of me straddling his lap and having him for dessert.

“You’re staring,” Lawrence teases as he hands me a fortune cookie. “Not that I mind, but I’m trying to be on my best behavior here, and you haven’t been making that very easy on me.” His tone is husky, his eyes twinkling with a playful seductiveness.

“I wasn’t checking you out.” My flush crawls up my neck, giving away my lie, and Lawrence snickers.

“Whatever you say, KitKat.”

“Stop saying that. I’m serious. I was just thinking about the time you grew your hair out. Do you remember that?”

“Oh, yeah…I did it to impress you because you told me I should grow it out after you saw that picture of me as a kid with long hair. It was not my best idea.”

“What do you mean? I loved it.” The memory of the way it felt as I ran my hand over his soft curls flashes through my mind, causing the flush on my skin to spread to my cheeks.

“Well, you were the only one,” he jeers, breaking open his cookie and pulling out his fortune. His lips curve into a smile as he reads the tiny piece of paper, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes as he meets my gaze again. “My friends gave me hell for it. They called me all kinds of lovely things, and when they found out I’d done it for a girl, it got even worse.”

“That explains why you didn’t keep it long. Those assholes were just jealous of you because you’re so attractive.”

He sits up straighter, adjusting his shirt as he smirks. “You think so? Tell me more. What would you say is my most attractive attribute?”

A smile tugs at my mouth as I groan. “Your modesty.”

He lets out a hearty laugh as I break open my cookie. “Touché.” His glare heats my skin as he watches me read. “What does your fortune say?”

I sigh, knowing he’s going to have a field day with this. “Take the chance while you still have the choice.”

Lawrence snorts. “These cookies know what’s up.”

I roll my eyes, throwing a piece of my cookie at him. “Shut it. What does yours say?”

A grin spreads across his face, and he clears his throat for dramatic effect as he holds up his fortune. “An old love will become new again.”

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