Page 36 of Just One Moment

“Isee.”Igrin wildly. “Anythingelse you want drawn up in this mythical contract?”

Witha look that makes me question if that kiss was fake, he shakes his head. “Laughingand smiling like that is my only ask.”

Thechime of bells reminds meIhave a bakery to run and the whining from the back letsGrahamknowCurlyis done waiting.

“Areyou still okay for dinner at my mom’s tomorrow?She’sexcited for you to come.NotthatI’mtrying to pressure you, it’s just…she likes you.Weall do, and you’re always welcome.”

Iwalk back toward the cash register, flashing a smile at the two new customers before facing him again. “Ican’t wait.Thankyou for inviting me.”

“Good.I’mglad.”Asmall, satisfied grin slips free as his eyes track down the length of my body.I’ma mess of coffee grindsand spilled milk, yet something sparks in his gaze, making me flush. “I’llsee you later.”

Withthat, he makes his escape through the fire exit, leaving me standing in a puddle of overstimulated hormones and confused feelings.

I’mgoing to have to practice a lot of self-restraint not to get caught up in the unfamiliar, trancelike state he keeps leaving me in.

Fora smart man,GrahamSadleris pretty clueless at how damn appealing he is.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

graham

Ikissed her.

No.

Ikissed her and then licked her lips clean.

I’veofficially lost my mind.

Ican never show my face in public again.

I’llhave to move away.

Whatthe fuck wasIthinking, coming ontoQuinnlike that?Wewere supposed to set boundaries.Toplan our dates meticulously, so the right people saw us at the right time.

Jenna’sfriends were quickly forgotten as soon asIswiped the icing across her face.Itwas like someone else had taken over my body, yet it was me.Iwas the one who played with her, kissed her, and made her smile.

Itshould bother me whatAngelaandNinasaw and what they’re most likely reporting back toJenna.Itdoesn’t though.Allthat mattered was hearing her laugh and giving her a little break from whatIknow was a busy day.

Thatkiss though…

Itleft me feeling reincarnated.

Mysoul felt like it was starting afresh, in a new universe, withQuinnJacksonbeing at the center of it all.

Woome, she had said.AsifIhad any idea how to woo an incredible woman like her.Yet, something overcame me.Aneed to show everyone she was mine.Ouragreement was the last thing on my mind whenIsealed my lips over hers.

Iwanted to kiss her so there was no doubt in anyone’s minds that we were together.Untilshe was breathless and craving me as much asIdo her.

Only,Iremembered who we were the moment the fog around us lifted.

Ididn’t miss the way she scanned the room, checking to see who had witnessed our intimate moment and like a bucket of cold water, realization of what it all meant washed over me.Theonly personIcould be mad at, was myself.I’dwillingly entered into this agreement despite my already budding crush on her.Ishould have known better than to allow myself to be swept up inher.

Whichis why the secondIhad the flowers placed in the glass vase,Ihightailed it out of there.SimplybecauseIdidn’t want to submit her to the awkward aftermath.AndIwas a fucking coward.

Now,I’mminutes away from receiving a complaint from the tenant below asIstomp across the floor in a frenzy.

Didshe look like she enjoyed the kiss?Sure, she nodded her consent, but it doesn’t make it okay.EverythingI’vesaid and done plays on repeat in my head, andIanalyze it for any clue thatI’vemade her uncomfortable.

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