Page 24 of Everything I Need

“Okay. I promise.” She breathes out. I’m not ashamed that I know she gets frazzled when I’m nearby and whisper in her ear. I’m a desperate man. I’ll use what I can to help me.

“Meet me tomorrow night. Eight o'clock in the wildflower field. Please?” I am begging her.

“Sure. I can do that.” She was already breathless, and I know exactly what she wants. That is all I need. I took her chin in my fingers and tilt her mouth up to mine. Kissing her as a promise that she can trust me. I will make her believe in us. I will show her she can trust in me, in us, and not be scared.

Chapter Fourteen

Scarlett

Afteryesterday’sinquisitionfromthe two self proclaimedfamousmatchmakers, I need to get out of the house. Preston knew exactly what he was doing when he showed up here. The amount of squealing and yelling was more than I could handle last night.

I text Preston this morning and asked if I could go do some more painting at the office. Now I am on my way to his house to get the key. And I have to face Colton again.

Awesome.

With both families involved there is bound to be more gossip about us. I need to embrace it or end it. The problem is, ending it, whatever it is, makes my chest hurt.

As soon as I open my car door I am greeted by an overzealous Duke. I swear you can’t stay in a bad mood when Duke is around. He plops down on my feet, awaiting his ear scratches.

“Hey, handsome! Who's the cutest guy around?” I say to him in a baby talk voice. He trails me to the porch.

“Interesting. I kind of hoped you’d think that was me.” Preston’s voice comes from behind me.

I should not have turned around. I turn and slam right into that gloriously hard chest that just two days ago I had my hands all over.

“Well. You never know. There’s still time for you to beat him out. But I don’t see it happening.” I say winking at him. It is proving difficult to reign in how he affects me the more time I spend with him.

“Hey. Are you here for my dog or me?” He feigns being upset.

“Actually, I’m here for your keys. So I can escape the house after your little show yesterday. So much for keeping the gossip at a minimum, huh?” I cross my arms.

He starts rubbing his neck and looking at the ground. I can tell he obviously had not thought about my Mom or Addy’s reactions, or what they would do to me when he left. Leaving me to deal with them on my own. Probably all part of his plan, I think sarcastically to myself.

“You’re right. I didn’t think about that. I just didn’t want you to have a chance to pull away.” How does he always know what I’m thinking?

“People are going to think you hired me just because you’re my boyfriend, and then this is all for nothing!” I throw my hands in the air, frustrated.

“Did you just call me your boyfriend?” He smiles.

Shit. I did call him that.

“Um. Yea. I guess I did.” I don’t have time to question whether or not that is a good thing because next thing I know I am pulled tight against Preston and being kissed until I forget where I am. That is until I hear a very loud throat clearing from the porch.

“Hey. Sorry to break up the party, but I was promised a trip to the diner.”

Preston leans his forehead against mine and whispers, “He has the worst timing of any human I know.”

“I heard that. Now you owe me a double order of bacon.” Colton laughs.

“I will buy you a triple order if you go away and shut up.” Preston yells back.

“Touchy, touchy aren’t we, Pres?” Preston’s jaw ticks at the nickname that Caleb used.

Colton walks away laughing but Preston doesn’t look too amused by him.

“Can I get that key now? I don’t want to stand between men and their bacon.” Smirking, I head up the steps, Preston follows but only after a sigh big enough to let me know he is unhappy with how this played out.

His house is beautiful, like straight out of a magazine beautiful. I don’t know what I expected but maybe a little more mess?

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