Page 84 of A Little Tempting

“Sorry,” I start.

He lets me go and stares up at the ceiling. “Fuck, Dylan.”

“I didn’t mean to step on you.”

“Yeah, no shit,” he grunts, taking a deep breath. “It’s fine.”

“Do you want me to?—”

“I want you to not stir up shit. That’s what I want you to do.”

My brows dip. “Wow.”

“Fuck,” he seethes under his breath, taking another deep breath. “I’m being an ass.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “You kind of are.”

“I’m sorry.” The tightness around his eyes softens as he scrubs his hand over his face. “Seriously, Dylan.” He takes another deep breath as if the third time’s the charm or something. “I’m sorry.”

Sensing his sincerity, I force myself to relax in his hold and move a little closer to him. “It’s okay.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me tonight,” he adds.

“You’re fine,” I offer. “I think we’re both a little on edge.”

“Yeah.” He nods and forces his muscles to relax beneath my palms. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“So…I know I never told you, but…thank you.”

He frowns. “For what?”

“For asking me to a dance. I didn’t think they were your thing.”

“They aren’t,” he grunts. “But Mav wanted to do something special for Ophelia after everything from the past few months, and he knew she’d want you guys to come.”

“Well, yeah, but…”

“What?”

“I don’t know? I mean, don’t get me wrong. I get how we’ve always been friends, and you wouldn’t have ever crossed the line or whatever, but I guess I figured…” The rest of my sentence catches in my throat, and I bite my tongue because if I’m wrong—if Finley’s wrong—this could seriously blow up in my face.

A crease forms between Everett’s brows as he stares down at me. “What?”

“I don’t know? I guess Finley assumed…andIassumed…you might be…”

“What?” he repeats.

Just say it, Dylan. Rip it off like a Band-Aid.

“Are you the guy who kissed me at the party?” I blurt out. His shoulders drop another inch as understanding paints his handsome features, causing his expression to fall. “Dylan…”

“Just answer the question,” I beg.

“Why does it matter?”

“I dunno? Call me old-fashioned, but I’d like to know if we kissed or not.”

“It was only a kiss.”

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