Page 98 of A Little Tempting

With a laugh, I point out, “To be fair, it’s probably hard being the long-distance boyfriend who’s expected to step into your girlfriend’s friend group without any friction, especially when your girlfriend is so close with her family and friends.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t really care at this point because he’s kind of on my shit list, so…”

“Trouble in paradise?” I ask.

“He’s mad at me because I didn’t put out last night. And don’t get me wrong, I get it. He flew here for the dance and missed a big test or something, but forgive me for not wanting to get laid after Griffin filled me in on all the drama from the dance, you know?” Her eyes turn glassy, and she shakes her head again. “Blah. I think I’m gonna start soon or something because”—she waves her finger around her face—“this is not on my Bingo card today.”

“Well, a Harry Potter marathon wasn’t on my Bingo card, either, but it looks like we’re both in for a treat.”

“It’s tonight?” she asks.

“Yup.”

“Well, damn.” Her nose scrunches. “But first, coffee.”

I smile against the rim of my cup. “Coffee.”

“And sleuthing,” she adds.

My amusement falls. “What now?”

“You really like him, don’t you?”

Him.

She doesn’t even have to say his name. I know exactly who she’s referring to. So, what does it prove about me? I’m smitten, is what it proves. And being smitten over a guy like Reeves?

Am I really this dense?

“Oh, Dylan,” she sing-songs. “The sooner we have this discussion, and I can give you my words of wisdom, the sooner you can shower.”

I shoot her the side-eye over the rim of my cup but give in. “Fine, but you won’t like my answer. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about him.”

She tilts her head, looking less than convinced. “Be careful. Any relationship is…really freaking hard. A relationship with a guy who takes other girls out as a side gig?” She hesitates, letting her words hang in the air. “I like Reeves, I really do,” she adds. “The chiseled jaw. The charisma. The snark? He’s a little tempting even for me, but…be careful, okay? I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“I think you’re reaching,” I point out.

“Reaching?” She shakes her head and sits down at the kitchen table. “No. Projecting?” An amused yet dejected scoff escapes her. “Maybe a little.”

Joining her at the kitchen table, I take a seat and stare into my coffee. “I thought he was going to kiss me last night.”

“Last night?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I ran into him in the kitchen. We talked, and…I thought he was going to kiss me.”

“Thoughthe was going to kiss you?”

“He didn’t.” I shrug. “Obviously, I was a little butthurt, and the guy saw right through me, which is when he said he won’t kiss me again until I have all of him.”

Her jaw drops. “He said that?”

I nod.

“Holy shit, Dylan. Hereallysaid that?”

My eyes thin, and my lips bunch on one side. “Gee, thanks for not sounding super shocked, Fin.”

“It’s not that, it’s just…huh.” She leans back in her chair, lost in thought. Then, a smile spreads across her face. “Who would’ve thought you’d be the one to tame the infamous Reeves?”

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