Page 74 of Why Not Us?

I smile. “I’m better now. Thanks to you and Dani and Taylor.”

He swallows and seems for a moment like he wants to say something before he finally does. “It’s none of my business, so tell me to stay out of it if you want. Did he ask for money?”

I nod.

“Did you give it to him?”

“I told him it was the last time, but yes.” Shame burns through me because I really wanted to say no to Elliot today, and I just didn’t have the backbone to do it. I change the subject. “Do you actually want to go to the play with me this summer? If you don’t want to…”

He puts a finger over my lips, stalling what I was going to say. “You’ve been doing a lot of stuff I like. I figure I should do some things you like. It makes sense. We’re still getting to know one another, right? This is part of it.”

“I don’t want you to be bored.”

He kisses me again. This time it’s a sweet, lingering kiss. “I am never bored with you, Adalie.”

“Really?”

He nods. “Really. You brighten up the room whenever you’re in it. I know you came to me because you thought you needed to change, but you don’t.”

I kiss him this time. He’s saying all the things I’ve always wanted to hear, and if I don’t kiss him, I’m going to start crying. So I lean into him, holding him to me as we make out on the street.

He breaks the kiss to tuck a curl behind my ear. “Speaking of you being so bright,” he says. “I’ve been thinking. If you’re going to be riding with me more often, we should get you your own gear.”

“Yeah? Like my own jacket and helmet?”

“The black doesn’t suit you. And it’s not quite the right size.”

“Why don’t we do that next week?” I say.

“Perfect.” He sighs. “I have to get back inside. Dani won’t be much longer in her shower.”

I kiss him one more time. Then I laugh. “You have to let me go if you’re going inside.”

“I don’t want to,” he grumbles.

He gives me one more swift kiss and backs up. I climb into my car before we can start everything all over again. I watch in my mirrors as he moves around my car to stand on the grass of his front yard. I keep watching as I drive away. He doesn’t go inside until after I can’t see him anymore.

Chapter 23

Nate

By Monday, I’m out of my mind wanting to see Adalie again. She doesn’t work on Mondays during wedding season, so I’d ensured Dani didn’t need to come back to get anything from my house after school today, telling her I’m going out after work to get something special for her birthday. Which is the truth, just not the whole truth.

I finish work early and get home, pacing while I wait for Adalie to arrive. When she knocks, I open the door, pulling her inside and pressing her into it, lifting her so her legs wrap around my waist as my mouth crashes into hers.

My hands slide along the fabric of her jeans.

I growl against her lips. “You’re not wearing a dress today.”

She laughs. “You said we’re taking the bike.”

I groan as she arches toward me, causing my dick to harden instantly.

“As much as I’d like to keep going,” she says, pausing to kiss me again, “if we’re going to some stores, we need to leave before we’re too late. You said we’re going out to Langley. That ride will take about an hour.”

I kiss her again, slowly lowering her to the ground.

“You’re staying here tonight, right?” I ask.

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