Page 54 of Don't Puck the Wrong Brother

"And God forbid you admit you went on a date with Sanderson Connolly," she teases, sitting beside me.

"Exactly."

"So, what did you do besides watch dinosaurs in an abandoned drive-in?"

"Nothing," I say, then add, "He brought ice cream. Mint chocolate chip."

Lennox's eyebrows shoot up. "He knows your favorite flavor?"

"It came up during our ice cream…thing."

"Your ice cream 'thing,'" she repeats, making air quotes. "You're really committed to not calling these dates, aren't you?"

I throw a pillow at her. "No."

"Admit it," she says, dodging the pillow. "You had fun."

"It wasn't terrible," I concede, echoing what I told Sanderson earlier.

"Did he kiss you?" she asks, flopping down beside me.

"No," I say, and there's a hint of…is that disappointment in my voice? "He said he never makes a move on the first date."

"Extended social interaction," Lennox corrects with a grin.

"Yeah, so no moves will be made."

"So, there's going to be a third date?"

I laugh, considering. "He seems to think so."

"And you?"

That's the question, isn't it? Do I want to see Sanderson again? Do I want to keep exploring whatever this strange, unexpected connection is between us? Do I want to risk the complications, the potential drama, the inevitable collision of our different worlds?

The answer surprises me.

"I don’t know," I say softly. "Maybe."

Lennox squeals, bouncing on the bed. "I knew it! You like him!"

"I didn't say that," I protest.

"You didn't have to." She pokes my side. "It's written all over your face."

"It's just…different with him," I try to explain. "He's not what I expected."

"He’s not?"

I struggle to find the words. "He's thoughtful. He listens. He remembers things I've mentioned in passing, like my favorite ice cream flavor or the music I like. And he’s persistent."

"Sounds like a keeper to me."

"It's complicated, Lenny."

"Because of Cade?"

"Because of everything." I sit up, hugging the pillow to my chest. "His reputation, his brother, the fact that we met under the most bizarre circumstances imaginable. It's like the universe is telling us to stay away from each other."

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