Walking toward her, she turns, and her grin widens when she sees me. “Hey, Zach,” she coos. Giving her no time to think, I cup her cheeks, bringing her lips to mine, and kiss her deeply.

Instantly, I relax, letting her warm body soothe me and her sweet scent linger in my mind.

“What was that for?” she breathes out. Her lipstick is a little smeared, but I don’t tell her because I like how it looks.

“Just making sure your ex knows where we stand?”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.” I dip my chin down, kissing her again because I can.

“Did you still want to hang out?”

I blow out a breath. I was so into kissing her I almost forgot about Tiff. She sees the answer in my eyes and holds her hand up before I can speak. “I get it. You’ve gotcommitments.” She says the last word with contempt.

“I’m sorry, but something came up.” I make a mental note to buy fifty boxes of baby wipes so I don’t have to do this again.

She glances down and pulls her lips together. “Okay.” Disappointment drips in her voice, and I squeeze her hands.

“I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

“Sure,” she mutters, and I drop my forehead to hers, leaving a gentle kiss against her lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Butterfinger.”

A small smile creeps across her lips. “I can’t wait.”

“Come on, Evans. I’ll drive you to the bus stop,” Mike calls. Reluctantly, I drag myself away from Honey and to Mike’s Jaguar.

I tilt my head toward Honey and Olivia. “Don’t you want to hang out with them?”

“And talk about you all night? No thanks.” He rolls his eyes, pushing me aside. “Don’t do that stupid grin. Makes you look like an idiot.”

I straighten my lips, walking to the passenger side of his car. When I take my seat, I notice Mike’s tight grip on the steering wheel. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” he drawls out, clearly not okay. “Look. I know you and Honey have this agreement, but I feel like it’s my place to say that if I find out you’re anything but respectful, I’ll have to kick your ass.” I chuckle, relaxing back onto the seat. “I’m not joking, Z. This is the first time I’ve seen her genuinely happy in the last couple of years, and I can already see this is going to be a trainwreck when it comes crashing down.”

“It won’t come crashing down.”

“You sure about that?” He raises a brow. I know he’s referring to things at home, but I don’t acknowledge it.

“Why do you care? You didn’t seem bothered when Jamie put this bet on her in the first place.”

“I wasn’t bothered then, but Honey’s been nicer and easier to like since she stopped dating that ass. I also can’t deny that Honey happy means Olivia is in a better mood… and well, Olivia in a better mood means I have a lot more fun.”

“No need to elaborate; I get it.”

Shaking his head, he laughs and turns on the ignition. As we drive past Honey and Olivia, I give her a short wave, and sheblows me a kiss. I don’t know what comes over me, but I pretend to catch it and rest my fist on my chest, just above my heart.

“Oh, you’ve got it bad.” Mike teases.

“Nah, just making sure we’re believable in public.”

“You keep telling yourself that.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Honey