Page 230 of Collided

“Yeah?” I smile.

Setting her chin on my chest, she looks up at me with those innocent doe-eyes. “Yeah.”

“Good.”

“How was it for you?”

“Fucking perfect.”

I’m rewarded with a grin that makes my heart race. I’m afraid that she might hear it or feel it but fuck it. I’m not hiding or fighting my feelings for this girl anymore.

I want her and I’ll get her. I’ll do anything to be with her.

We all saunter toward the driveway. Marie and Sebastian take his jeep and go ahead of us.

I walk toward my McLaren and open the door for Hope.

Her smile widens. “Thank you.”

When I join her I ask, "Why did you thank me?”

“Because you opened the door for me.”

“It’s not the first time I’ve done it.”

“Yes, and that’s why I wanted to thank you.” Playing with the necklace she says, “I like it when you do it.”

I make no move to start the car.

Fuck it. For all I care, we can sit here for the rest of the night and just talk.

I’ll be with her, and it’ll be enough.

“What else do you like?”

“I like it that you notice little things about me, ask me about book updates, order food for me, calm me down when I’m having a panic attack, take hugs from me even though you don’t like them—”

“I like yours,” I tell her. “What else?”

“You make me feel safe.”

“Because you are.”

She nods. “I know.”

“Is there more?”

A smile spreads on her lips. “I like you. I like you a lot. Probably more than my fictional men.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why probably and notfuckingdefinitely?”

A laugh breaks out of her and my annoyance shimmers down.

“It’s not fucking funny,” I grumble.

“Are you jealous?”

“Fuck yes, I am. Now that you like me, there shouldn’t be room forthoseguys.”

---