Page 57 of Exposed Ink

“Glad to know you’re getting such a wonderful education,” Shane deadpans.

“I haven’t,” I admit. “Between yoga with my mom this morning, working all afternoon, and …” I glance at Shane, my cheeks heating up at the thought of how we spent this evening, and he smirks. “I’ve been busy,” I say after clearing my throat. “I’m hoping to read it tonight if your dad will ever leave.”

He rolls his eyes. “Give me your number, and I’ll go.”

“Nope,” I say, popping thePfor dramatic effect.

At this point, I’m just having fun, messing with him.

“I’ll text you once I start it and let you know what I think,” I say to Taylor.

“Okay, sounds good. See you when you get home, Dad. Bye!”

Taylor hangs up, and Shane grips the curve of my hip, pulling me toward him until our bodies are flush.

“I think it would only be right that your boyfriend has your number,” he murmurs, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

“Who said anything about you being my boyfriend?” I scoff.

“You,” he says, bending slightly and licking the seam of my lips. “You said you wanted labels and promises.”

“And I do,” I admit, my heart thumping in my chest at the thought of moving forward. Only instead of being consumed by guilt, I’m filled with excitement. “It’s been years since I’ve been in a relationship, but I’m pretty sure the guy is supposed to actually ask the woman to be his girlfriend, not demand it like a Neanderthal.”

I quirk a brow, and Shane barks out a laugh.

“All right, Sour Patch.” He gives me a chaste kiss, and I expect him to follow it up with asking me to be his girlfriend, so I’m shocked and confused when he steps back. “I’d say I’ll call or text when I get home, but I don’t have your number, so … I guess I’ll see you when I see you.”

With a panty-dropping wink, he opens the door and walks out, leaving me wondering what the hell just happened.

One second, I thought Shane and I were going to make things official, and I was ready to, and the next, he’s walking away while leaving whatever is going on between us in limbo.

Men. They can be so damn frustrating.

EIGHTEEN

Shane

“Askher to be my girlfriend? Seriously? What are we, teenagers?” I grumble as I mix the pancake batter for breakfast.

It’s been thirty-six hours since I left Kinsley’s house after she told me the only way that we’re making shit official is by me asking her.

Since I had to work my shift yesterday and the station was slow, I had a lot of time to overthink this, and the only thing I’ve come up with is that it needs to be romantic because she’s a romance reader, and if my daughter has shown me anything, it’s that romance readers have high expectations when it comes to shit like this.

I let out a sigh of annoyance, at a loss as to how to go about this, and nearly drop the bowl when Taylor appears out of nowhere.

“What’s got you all huffy?” she asks, reaching around and grabbing a few blueberries and popping them into her mouth.

“Kinsley wants to date me.”

“Really?” she squeals. “That’s amazing!” She jumps up and down, but when I don’t show my own enthusiasm, she stops and looks at me. “Why does it sound like you’re unhappy about it? I thought this is what you wanted.”

“Oh, I am happy,” I tell her, pouring the batter onto the skillet. “But apparently, mentioning that I’m her boyfriend without actually asking her to be my girlfriend is unacceptable.”

Taylor gasps, her hands dramatically going to her chest. “You didn’t ask her out?”

“I haven’t asked anyone out since your mom, and I was seventeen. I wasn’t aware that I needed to do that at thirty-five.”

“You know, for a smart guy, you really can be dumb sometimes,” she chides. “Your future girlfriend reads romance. Of course she would expect her potential boyfriend to properly ask her out.”

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