Page 33 of The Perfect Love

She sighs, but doesn’t fight him, and walks over to my car. My eyes follow her round ass the whole way. I’ll take things as slowly as she wants to go, but I’m still going to enjoy looking, whether I can touch or not.

A crisp snap draws my attention to Robbie.

“Enjoying yourself?”

Very much, actually.

“Is this theI break her heart, you break my facespeech?”

“No.” His face softens as he looks over at her. “It’s not about you breaking her heart. It’s about making sure she’s safe and treated right. I would go to the ends of the earth to keep her safe. Her location is shared with me, and I won’t hesitate to hunt you down if I think something is happening that shouldn’t be.”

Okay, I don’t know what this is about, but his words tell me enough. It might’ve been an abusive relationship or something, but someone hurt her in far worse ways than heartbreak. It makes sense, especially since she told me she swore off guys.

I hold up my hands. “I don’t fault you for that. I understand wanting to protect someone you care about. You don’t know me, so my word doesn’t mean much, but I have no intention of hurting her, and I’m also protective. If it makes you feel better, I can share my location with you too, so you always know where we are.”

He stares hard at me for a moment, then his tough expression drops. “It’s frustrating that you’re so likable.”

I crack a smile at that. “I can even have her text you every hour if you want. I’ll set an alarm on my phone and everything.”

He sighs and waves a hand. “No. Go on. Get out of here.”

Chelsea laughs as we walk over to her. Robbie hugs her and whispers something I can’t hear. She hugs him tighter, then they break apart. Robbie eyes me one last time, then walks away.

I open the passenger door for Chelsea and extend my hand to help her inside.

Her smile hasn’t dimmed, and I’m soaking it in. This is how she was when we first met, but with how quickly that shift happened to her panicking, I’m not going to assume today will be all smooth sailing.

“So, are you ready to spend the day with me?” I ask once I’m seated.

“Excuse me? I believe I promised you brunch. Ifyou’reready to spend the day with me, you have to earn it.”

Challenge accepted.

“I’m all in,” I tell her and let the words hang there. I’m in for brunch. I’m in for the day together. I’m in for anything she’ll give me because somehow in less than a week I’m a goner for this girl.

“Guess we’ll see.”

I put the car in drive and get on the road, taking us past campus to the road that follows the far side of the lake.

“I haven’t come out this way yet,” Chelsea says, eyes on the lake view out her window. “It’s beautiful.”

“I like it because it’s not as popular with the college kids. It’s busier in the summer from what my friends have said, but once school starts up again, it’s quieter. But don’t worry, where I’m taking you always has a steady ebb and flow of people. Hope you’re not expecting a fancy brunch, though. Because this is a much more low-key place, but the experience is worth it. Plus, there’s great coffee.”

“Darn, so you’re saying I’ll have to live without lobster Benedict?”

I quickly glance at her. “Lobster Benedict?”

“I’m a sucker for seafood and eggs Benedict, so combine them and you get my favorite brunch dish. Best sprinkled with chives.”

“Okay, good to know you’re bougie.”

She fake gasps. “Rude. I prefer posh.”

“My posh princess? Has a ring to it.”

She snorts a laugh and looks out the window again. “That makes me sound way better than I am.”

“Don’t do that.”

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