Page 43 of For Fox Sake

Before he can lean back, I tip forward and our lips meet.

Lust blasts through me, starting at my lips and racing down to my toes. He tastes like cranberry juice and sunshine.

He jerks back. “Wait. I’m sorry.”

I blink at him, slightly dazed. “What? Why?”

His expression is pained.

The lust quickly turns into embarrassment and shame. Oh no. I totally misread this. He’s truly just being a nice guy, and I’m throwing myself at him.

If only the couch would open up and swallow me.

He frowns. “I should go.”

I shut my eyes but the image of his wince after I kissed him is burned on my retinas. I’m such an idiot. He told me he doesn’t date. It’s been more than a year since he’s been sober, but maybe he’s not ready yet. And here I am, making assumptions and being... horny. “I’m really sorry. I thought—I totally misread that and now I’m really embarrassed.”

“It’s not—please don’t be embarrassed. I wanted that kiss. More than I should want it.”

“What do you mean?”

His eyes search mine. “I... we haven’t even been out on a proper date. Can I take you out to dinner?”

Wait. “What?”

“Dinner. You know, that thing where two adults eat good food somewhere other than their home with no children present and something slightly more upscale than hot dogs?”

He doesn’t want to kiss me, because he wants to date me first? Is he for real?

So that distressed look wasn’t because he’s disgusted with me? I didn’t know men like this existed.

“Um, Ari has a sleepover at her friend’s this weekend. Maybe then?”

He grins, and my stomach dips. “It’s a date.”

Chapter Twelve

Jake

“Hey, Donuts. What are you doing?”

I jump at the unexpected voice behind me and spin around.

My heart, already frantically pounding as I attempt to inconspicuously break into Elaine’s office while she’s at lunch, triples in speed.

“Sorry.” Bernie scrunches her nose at me. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s fine.”

She glances at Elaine’s door, then down at my hand on the knob, brows rising in question. “Are you busy?”

“I just needed to grab an HR form. What’s up?”

Bernie reminds me of my sisters. She’s an amalgam Taylor’s sassiness and Mindy’s ball-busting and Finley’s kindness. We hit it off right away, though not in the same way I hit it off with Ryan... My life might be less complicated right now if I were more attracted to Bernie, instead of the woman I’ve come across the country to investigate and lie to.

“You’re taking Ryan out tonight?” she asks.

My mind takes a second to catch up to the question. “Yeah. Why?”

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