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He was pushy. He was grabby. The whole thing ended with a slap and an uber.

But this date? I wish hewouldhold my hand. I mean, he did, while we were dancing, but not after. Even so, it’s going so well, it’s almost made me regret not dating more. I thought real life never mirrored the movies, but this is coming pretty close. Even the dancing, which I thought would be just awful, was really fun.

I’m not going to lie—it’s pretty hot that he can dance so well, and thanks to my sense of timing, it was easy to follow his very clear lead. I’m not a huge countrymusic fan, and it was still a really fun night. So when he says his buddy Ace needs help getting into a party. . .I realize he means to take me home.

But I don’t want to go home yet.

This is why they tell kids to stay away from addictive substances. Once you get a little, you just want more, but here we are. I’m already jonesing for more time with Easton.

“It’s fine,” I say. “I’ll go with you. Unless you think I’m underdressed?”

At first he looks a little surprised, probably because I told him I don’t like big social events. After taking a moment to catch up, he rallies. “Sure. Great. We don’t need to be there more than a few minutes.”

“Okay.” I’m not sure what else to say. I don’t want to sound pathetic. “Are we going, then?” I stand.

“Right. Yes.” He stands up, too, and then he leads me out, one arm hovering behind me to make sure no one bumps into me. It’s pretty cute—and it feels like he’s claiming me.

I don’t hate it.

I’m honestly a little surprised by his cars. He’s not much older than Jake and me, and Jake bought a sports car with his first paycheck. I suppose it makes sense that a savvy businessman would want a less flashy car than a movie star, but still. A 4Runner and a Volvo? At least the Volvo’s comfortable, and of course, it runs well. That’s the primary concern for me, honestly. Mine is temperamental.

I just figured if a guy had more than one car, at least one would be flashy.

“Why don’t you let Jake buy you a car, really?” Easton asks, clearly also thinking about cars.

“It’s a slippery slope with him,” I say.

“Meaning?”

“Have you ever been around little kids?”

“That feels non-sequitur,” Easton says.

“For the non-Ivy League person in the car. . .”

He laughs. “I’m not an Ivy League graduate either, but non-sequitur means something’s kind of a disconnect. In other words, I asked you about Jake and then you asked me about little kids.” His eyes cut sideways briefly before returning to the road. “What do they have to do with each other?”

“I’ve done a few rounds of being a ‘big sister,’ and I also have a much younger foster brother. In my experience, the key to forming successful relationships with kids is establishing boundaries and then holding them.”

“Okay.” His brow’s furrowed.

“Jake’s like a little kid. . .on crack.”

“He does drugs?” Easton’s smiling, so I’m assuming he knows that’s not what I’m saying.

“Jake had an interesting childhood,” I say. “If absolutely terrible childhoods interest you.” I chuckle. “He doesn’t really like anyone.”

“Except you.”

“I mean, he tolerates Emerson, and he loves Dave and Seren same as we all do, but yeah. I may be the only person he truly likes, even in the family.”

“And?”

“His whole life he’s had very little, so now that he does have stuff, he wants to hoard it.” I look at Easton’s profile. “Or give it to me.”

“It sounds nice. I mean, your car doesn’t run, right?”

I sigh. “My car’s old, and I thought it just needed a new battery, but it’s still having problems with a new one, so I think the starter may be bad. The thing is, I can always take the bus if I have to, and repairing anold car is way,waycheaper than buying a new one. Right?”

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