Page 28 of Give Me Love

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going because you’re hungry? Are you going to make a new friend?Or,” she waggles her brow, “are you going tomakea new friend?”

I smirk. “Your brain is always in the gutter.”

“It’s a fun place to be.”

I sigh. “I think if I go, it’ll be because I’m hungry.”

She laughs. “Yeah. Let’s go with that choice.” She finishes her drink. “Go. Have fun. Let him make you forget about the past few months. Rebound guys are always good for that. No one ever stays with the rebound guy, so you won’t have to worry about starting up a new relationship.”

I shake my head. “Where do you read this shit?”

She chuckles. “Just be careful. I’ll cut a guy. I don’t care if he looks hot or not. I’ll track him down and end him.”

I laugh. “Calm down, black belt. It’s just food.”

She smiles. “Seriously.”

“I know. I’ll see you back at the apartment tonight.”

“Wake me when you come in,” she orders.

____________

We exit Red, and Bryce grabs my wrist. “This way.” He directs me as I walk beside him, hyperaware of how his skin feels against mine. It’s oddly rough, considering he owns a nightclub, but just like that, Bryce lets go and I feel bummed. I tighten my ponytail as we round the building and look over at him.

“So, you’re leading me into a dark alleyway?”

He smirks. “This is where I park my car.” I lift a brow and he chuckles. “You’re funny, Kathrine.”

I grin. I’m not sure anyone has ever called me funny, but I’m glad I can entertain. I’m funny and he’s an asshole, guarded, and now I’m getting the nice side of him. I like nice, I understand guarded, but the asshole needs to pack his shit and never return.

“Yeah, well, funny or not, Claire has threatened to cut you if you harm one hair on my body.”

He nods as he opens the passenger door of his classic car. “Well noted. Hop in,” he gestures.

I look from him to the seat. When his eyebrows lift, wrinkles appear on his forehead. I want to run a finger down them, but instead, I give in and take a seat on the soft red leather. He shuts the door, and I watch as he easily strides around the vehicle.

“This is nice,” I say, looking over at him when he climbs in.

“Nice?” he says. “This car is more than nice. It’s a ’69 Ford Boss 302 Mustang. Your friend did a good job.”

I shrug.Boys and their toys.

He starts the engine, and I instantly feel its rumble beneath my seat.

“Where are you taking me?”

He gives me a sideways glance as he shifts the car and pulls out onto the main road. “A café. Put your seat belt on.”

“Yes, sir,” I reply mockingly.

I catch his lip lift as I pull the belt across my chest. “How long have you lived in Atlanta?” I ask as we come to a red light.

“For a while.”

The light changes from red to green and I watch his hand as he shifts into first gear. There’s something about a man and a manual. He reaches up and loosens the tie around his neck before shifting into third. We exit downtown and head to the outskirts.

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