Page 53 of No One But Us

My hand wraps around her wrist. “I’m sorry. Just wait, because you’re taking that all wrong.” I stop to gather my thoughts. “It’s not that I don’t want to. If my memory of last night is correct, it was pretty clear I wanted to. There’s just...you’re young,and...”

“Seriously? I’m not that young, James. You’re only two years older than Ryan. I can guarantee you that I could walk inside right now and Max would agree I was adult enough to do anything I offered todo.”

I feel my hands tighten around the arms of the chair. “Don’t even fucking think aboutit.”

“I’m just making a point, which is that your objection to my age isbullshit.”

I sigh. “It’s not just your age. There’s other stuff too. With my family. My mom’s already having a rough time, and this would send her over theedge.”

Her mouth opens, and for a moment no words emerge. “Are you honestly telling me that who youdatewould lead your mom not toeat?”

I understand her disbelief. I wish I could tell her my suspicions, but God knows the last thing Elle needs this summer is one more family drama on her shoulders. I’m shocked she’s held up dealing with the ones alreadythere.

“I know it sounds far-fetched. Just suffice it to say there’s some other stuff you don’tknow.”

“So did you mean the things yousaid?”

I close my eyes. They are very few things in life worse than doing awful shit while you’re drunk and being unable to remember itclearly.

“I don’t remember what I said. And I don’t want to know what I said. But yeah, most likely it was all true.” I glance at her. “So are you going to tell me whathappened?”

“What do youremember?”

I lay my head against the back of the chair. “I don’t want to tell you because I’m not sure what was a dream and whatwasn’t.”

“Why would you assume any of it was adream?”

I look at her and sigh. “Because it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had fairly vivid dreams aboutyou.”

She grins. “Really?”

“That hardly makes me unique. I’m sure every guy who’s ever met you has had the same. Look, I remember kissing you. And I remember you telling me to go to bed. And then we were in my room and there was more, but it’s all vague. That’s the part I’m less sure about.” I give her a pleading look, but she remains silent. She’s enjoying my discomfiture way too much. “So we didn’t sleeptogether?”

“No.”

“Did you, uh…” God, this is fucking agony. She’s really going to make me spell it out. “Did you giveme…”

Her shoulders settle, and she laughs. “No. Nothing happened. I stopped it because when it happens, I want it to be something you actually remember the nextday.”

I shake my head. “It’s not ever going tohappen.”

She laughs, and the sound is slightly evil, like Max hatching a plan. “If you sayso.”

Chapter 31

ELLE

After work that night,Kristy persuades me to go out. Since Ginny is gone and I know James will likely just avoid me, I’ve got no reason notto.

I follow her to a bar two streets over from work, and I laugh when I walk inside. “I can’t believe you chose a bar that is exactly like The PinkPelican.”

“What you apparently haven’t learned about Rehoboth yet is that every bar here is exactly like The Pink Pelican. Look,” she says, nodding inside, “they even have a hotbartender.”

“I could do without another hot bartender,” I reply. “I’m just glad I finally get to try out my fakeID.”

Her eyes widen. “I had no idea you weren’t of age. You seem so mucholder.”

Raising yourself will do that, Isuppose.

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