Page 40 of Both Sides Now

Time to be brave, Calli, old girl.

I motion toward the house, smiling when my dog peeks through the curtain. “Do you want to come in? I can make you some coffee. You can flirt with Domino."

An air of uncertainty hovers about his face as he drums the steering wheel. "I better get back. I have a long day tomorrow."

So much for bravery.

I nod and grasp the door handle. “Of course. Please drivesafely and thank you for saving me from myself tonight. You must let me know how I can return the favor.”

"Come with me to a wedding."

I pause at Keegan’s unexpected statement. “Sorry. What was that?"

He shifts in his seat, and rubs his hand along his jaw. “My cousin is getting married next week on Long Island. I'd like you to be my date."

“Why me?”

Okay, perhaps not the question to lead with, although I really need to understand the man’s thought process. He turned down a nightcap, only to ask me to a full-on family affair moments later?

What am I missing? I swear, it’s been too damn long since I’ve played the dating game. I don’t even know the rules anymore.

He furrows his brow at my question. "Whynotyou, Calli? I think it might be fun. Get you out of town for a few days?—"

"It's a three-day wedding?"

"It's a wedding weekend.” Keegan drums his steering wheel again, his blue eyes focused on the darkness beyond the glass. “My family is tired of me bringing dates who behave like Megan. I'd like to show them I know some classy women, as well."

Ah, afakeshowing. Wonderful.

"But we're not dating.”

His drumming increases pace. No doubt the man is growing aggravated by my arguments. How many women turn down a doctor of his caliber?

My answer is one, and she looks shockingly like me.

“They don’t have to know all the details. Come on, we’ll have a good time. I’ll cover all the expenses for the weekend. Allyouhave to do is pretend to like me for a few hours.”

"Lord, that might be tricky," I tease, although the idea of aweekend with Keegan sounds incredibly enticing. Even if I leave behind a shattered heart on Long Island.

"I'll ply you with whiskey and make it a bit easier for you." He releases a slow exhalation as his gaze shifts once more to my face. "Just think about it, okay? You don't have to answer right now."

Do I want to say yes? Of course, but I’m entirely unsure if I can manage to fake care about the man. Especially when my true feelings deepen with every encounter.

"Fair enough. I appreciate that you consider me classy enough to meet your family. It’s quite a compliment.”

“Classiest woman I know,” he replies with that dimpled smile.

Once again, the warmth in my core threatens to overtake my senses. This man has me all twisted up … in the best possible way.

“You’ll never know how much that meant. Goodnight, Keegan.” Leaning across the Jeep’s interior, I press a kiss to his cheek and catch a hint of his cologne. Never overpowering, just mixing perfectly with his body chemistry into the most delicious scent.

For a split second, I consider grasping his chin and directing his gorgeous mouth to mine, but I think better of it.

We’ve already agreed it was a bad idea for us both.

But in that same instant, I feel the energy perking between us. It’s the same energy that has been present since the moment we laid eyes on one another.

And he feels it, too, even though he doesn’t say a word. His slight intake of breath when my lips touch his skin is proclamation enough.

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