Page 45 of Last Round

“Please.” A tear rolls down my cheek.

“Molly, I didn’t—”

“You know how much and how long I’ve been in love with him from afar. All I dreamt about when I turned eighteen was him saying he felt the same, that he was just waiting until I was older. Praying that I didn’t spend my teen years obsessed with a guy who would never see me the way I wanted him to.”

“I know, hun.” She wipes the tears from my face.

“Then don’t get my hopes up. I came to terms with the fact that Killian would never want me the way I wanted him. Since being back, and with this game we’ve been playing…” I shake my head. “Killian wanting to fuck me and Killian loving me are two very different things. I know him. I accept who he is. This is nothing more than another notch in his belt. I’ve already resigned myself to that fact. Because one night, one moment, with him is better than nothing.” Taking a deep breath, I get a hold of myself. Focus on the reality of the situation. “The only reason he’s doing this date is out of some weird bro-code thing with Sean. I bet he’s thinking the fallout with my brother will be far less if we’re dating, instead of just fucking.”

Bex remains silent for a moment. Her jaw works as she processes what she wants to say. “I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.” I squeeze her tight.

“Wait.” She pulls back to look at me. “I’m sorry because I understand why you aren’t jumping on the happy train with me. I know how much you were hurting when you left for college and how difficult it’s been for you to put yourself out on the line like this. But I also know Killian. Maybe not as well as you do. However, I know men like him. A date is a big deal. It has nothing to do with your brother and everything to do withyou. So, tell yourself whatever you need to keep your heart from going overboard. Keep it safe—for now. And I’ll wait impatiently for you to come and give me the honor of sayingI told you so.”

Research

Killian

Theperfectdate… Enter.

Oh, awesome. They have a movie about taking someone on the perfect date.Never mind. It’s not a how-to, but a teenage romantic comedy about some guy getting paid to fake-date girls. I’m planning on taking Molly out on a very real date, not some gimmick.

How about:How to date your best friend’s little sister…Enter.

First results say:Maybe don’t.

Well, that’s not fucking helpful. I quickly back out of that shit. There’s a ton of posts saying not to, or to ask his permission, make sure I’m certain this is what I want…

Last night, before I kissed her, I was pretty sure this was worth the beating Sean’s going to give me. But after I got a taste, I’m addicted. I’ve never had a sweet tooth (good thing since snack cakes aren’t exactly on many trainer diets) or indulged much in sugar. Now I’m sitting here at nine in the morning with an assortment of candy, desperate to find something that tastes as sweet.

I continue scouring the internet for dating tips, but there is nothing helpful. There are several articles about identifying if she’s interested. I already know she is. No way she’d spend weeks getting me to cave if she weren’t into me.

What if all she’s looking for is to add your name to her repertoire?

It happens a lot, not that I’ve ever minded. Girls come to this bar on a daily basis, seeking me out. Fucking me is on their bucket list, no different from saying they’re going to backpack through Europe, or climb a mountain, or go snorkeling.

No, this is Molly. She has to want to do more than justride the rainbow.

“Fuck.” I pull at the roots of my hair.

“What’s up?” Declan stands in the entryway to my office, observing the scene before him. “Sean mentioned you might need some help with the computer stuff. I’m no expert, but I’m sure between the two of us, we can figure it out.”

I close the lid to my laptop. “It’s not that.” I haven’t even looked at any of the stuff Sean wrote on his excessively long to-do list. “But I’ll keep that in mind.” Because, yeah, I’m not exactly the tech guy. But need me to look up gym equipment or porn? I’m your man.

“Okay.” Declan lingers, eyeing my new candy dish, well aware that I don’t eat this kind of crap. “Is there something wrong?”

“Nope, everything’s A-okay.” I force my usual carefree smile.

“Cool, well, I’m going to get warmed up. Luke should be in soon.”

“Wait.” I rush out to catch him and run smack-dab into his back instead. I guess he didn’t make it as far as I thought. “Come back.” I pull him into my office, shut and lock the door, and close the blinds.

“Are you sure everything’s okay, man? You seem edgy. Too much sugar can do that to ya.”

“If I ask you about something, you’ve got to swear not to tell a soul.”

“Sure, man, whatever you need. It can stay between us.”

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