Page 48 of The Enemy Plot

“We should go get you checked out at the nurse’s station. They have one at the front. I remember Eloise once cut herself on a—”

“Sure,” I interrupt, standing up quickly. “Let’s go.”

Maybe this incident wasn’t just an act of clumsiness on Hector’s end. Maybe I have a guardian angel watching over me who decided I’d suffered through this date long enough and should leave Hector and Eloise alone together.

Finally, I reach my street, and I’m eager to get home. Even if Deacon has taken possession of my mind again, that’s better than the weird date I just endured.

Of course, Deacon’s bar lights are still on when I walk past. And, of course, he steps out just when I thought I’d passed by incognito. Okay, he’s taking out the trash, but still.

He glances at me, and I wave awkwardly. What am I supposed to do? Jump into his arms and kiss him? Awkward is just fine.

His eyes narrow as his resting frown deepens. “Who did this to you?” he asks, examining the bump on my head as he comes closer. “And where can I find him?”

I press my lips to contain my smile. Yes, I’m one of those girls who’s dreamed of a man saying that to her. How annoying that Deacon has checked all these boxes when he’s not even interested. I wave a hand in dismissal. “It’s nothing. Don’t go all dark romance on me. That’s Emma’s thing.”

His pupils dilate ever so slightly. I guess I found a way to make this even more awkward. Impressive.

Our gazes lock for a few seconds, both of us probably hearing the word “romance” echo in our heads—or maybe it’s just me. Finally, I clear my throat. “I just got into a fight with a stray golf ball. You know me. I’m a total klutz.” I force a laugh, but it comes out strangled.

His eyes narrow further. When he’s about to say something, I cut him off. “Well, see you around,” I blurt, turningon my heels so I don’t have to stay there a second longer.

Before I can leave, he places his hand on my shoulder, and I swear it just burst into flames. “Wait.”

I turn back around but keep my eyes on the pavement. “Deacon, I can’t . . .”

“Let me take you out,” he says in one breath, causing me to glance up and meet his gaze. It’s intense and electrifying.

I furrow my eyebrows. “What?”

“These guys you’re going out with, they’re all wrong. You keep choosing boys when what you need is a real man.”

My heart stutters, and I gulp. “How do you even know who I’m going out with?”

“I’ve seen them picking you up or bringing you back. They’re not worthy of you, and they don’t have a clue about how to treat you on a date or what you’d like.”

I quirk an eyebrow. “Oh, because you do?”

He smiles, and I shouldn’t have looked, because there is absolutely no way I can resist him when he smiles. “Yeah, I’ve got an idea or two.”

“Really?”

“I have eyes, and I see you.”

“I thought you weren’t interested,” I can’t help but say, my eyes downcast again.

He trails his fingers on my cheeks, the soft touch giving me goosebumps. Then, he tucks my chin in his hand, forcing me to look at him. “I say very stupid things sometimes, but you can’t hold it against me. Let me take you out.”

My eyes plunge into his deep blue irises, and my heart constricts. That kiss has already shattered me. If I go out with Deacon, there’s no coming back. When I date someone, I’m always all in. Heck, I’m already all in, and we’re not even dating. There’s a huge chance I’ll end up with a crushed heart. But he’s the only one I think about. He’s constantly on my mind, in my dreams, and in every one of my books. Maybe he won’t break my heart. Or, maybe he will, but it might break the spell at the same time, and I can go back to hating him.

“Alice,” he says, his eyes searching mine.

“Okay,” I breathe. “I’ll go out with you.”

My entire body warms as I speak those words, and the prospect of going on a date with Deacon is so much better than diving into even the coziest book. I freeze at that awful reality.

Please don’t tell my friends I said that.

20

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