Page 46 of Breakaway to You

“That’s understandable,” he said and sounded like he meant it.

I gave him a quizzical look. “This is the part where people usually try to talk me out of my beliefs, claiming love is worth the risk.”

He leaned back in his seat, holding up his hands. “You won’t be hearing that from me. I agree with you. I am on the relationships-aren’t-worth-it train with you.”

I laughed. “I didn’t realize there was a train.”

“Oh, yeah,” he nodded, giving me a serious look. “A lot of people hop on the train thinking they can handle the journey, only to hop off at the next stop. But you and me?” He gestured between us. “We know that being on the train is better than getting off at any stop.”

“You’ve really thought this whole train analogy through,” I chuckled.

“I just made it up, but it’s a pretty good analogy, right?”

“It totally is,” I agreed. “So does that make us train buddies?”

An amused expression filled his features as he took a moment to think about it. “Yeah, I guess it does.”

I raised my drink. “To being train buddies.”

He raised his drink to mine. “To being train buddies.”

We each took a sip of our coffees, and I smiled.

Being with Zeke was easy and fun, with no pressure. And now that we were on the same page—or train—I felt even better about our budding friendship. Yes, I was attracted to him, and he was one heck of a kisser, but if we both were anti-relationship, then I didn’t need to worry about him thinking our relationship becoming more than what it was. We were just two people with a therapist and patient relationship who also enjoyed spending time together.

And sometimes flirting.

But that was all in fun because neither of us wanted anything to come of it.

I leaned back in my chair, feeling more relaxed and happy than I had in a long time. I could spend time with Zeke as much as I wanted. Heck, we could even do our fake dating charade at the gala if we needed to without me having to worry about anything.

The freedom in knowing I didn’t have to be careful around Zeke anymore was exhilarating. Although that knowledge also held a touch of allure…because I really didn’t want to be so careful around Zeke.

“Since we’ve established where we stand on relationships,” Zeke said, “does that mean you’ll say yes when I ask you to dance with me at the gala?”

The thought of dancing with Zeke, being in his arms, sent a shiver of excitement through me. A strictly non-relationship-forming shiver.

“Depends,” I said coyly, feeling emboldened by our conversation.

He smirked. “On what?”

“On how good of a dancer you are.” I feigned a haughtiness I hoped he could see as teasing.

He chuckled, the sound deep and warm. “Oh, I’m an excellent dancer.” He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto mine, teasing yet unreadable. “So good,” he added, lowering his voice just enough to send another strictly non-relationship-forming shiver through me, “that I’m afraid you won’t be able to resist me once we’re on the dance floor.”

I was afraid of that now too, but I kept the breathlessness I was feeling out of my voice. “Someone thinks highly of himself.”

His gaze dipped to my lips for the briefest second before meeting my eyes again. “Trust me, Piper. When I have you in my arms, you won’t be thinking about my dancing skills.”

A flash of desire moved through me, and I quickly masked my features, not wanting him to know how much his words had affected me.

It looked like I wasn’t the only one looking forward to our new-found freedom in our relationship.

I leaned forward, matching his stance and demeanor as my gaze swept over him, slow and deliberate. “Big promises. Hope you can deliver.”

His chuckle was low and full of mischief. “Careful, Piper.” His voice was laced with amusement. “Flirting with me might just become your new favorite habit.”

Too late. It already was.

---