Page 36 of That Kind of Guy

The light ahead of me turned yellow, and I slowed to a stop just as it turned red. “Both.”

She snorted. We were quiet as I drove down the town’s main street.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “So, when Miri brought up the wedding bells, you couldn’t say no fast enough.”

My gaze cut to hers as I turned onto her street. “Nothing to do with you.”

“I wasn’t worried about that.”

I shrugged. “I just don’t really see that life for me.” I glanced at her. “You were pretty quick to say no, too.”

“I know.”

“So, your parents are divorced.”

“Yep.” She stared out the window.

I didn’t say anything for a moment, but she let the silence hang there. I guess that was all I was going to get out of her tonight.

I pulled the car over to the street in front of her house. Alright, this was enough serious talk. I gave her my best seductive smile, the one that works every time. “Well, if you’re not gay,” I said in a low voice before looking up at her, “can I come in?”

She snorted and opened the car door. “No.”

I couldn’t help but grin. I didn’treallywant to go inside, I was just trying to get a rise out of her. Pushing her buttons was beginning to be my new favorite hobby.

Okay yes, yes, I did want to go inside. I had been sporting a half-boner since that awkward kiss outside the restaurant. It was because Avery didn’t like me. That’s why I wanted more.

“Alright, maybe next time then. We can work on practicing that kiss.”

“Nope.” She shook her head before closing the door. Her face was going red.

I watched her as she walked up the path to her home. When she was just about to go inside, I stepped out of the car.

“How did you know about the turtles?”

She turned and gave me a conspiratorial look. “Elizabeth told me.”

I groaned and watched as she turned and continued up the path.

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” I called to her, loud enough so that everyone in town could hear.

She looked around furiously to see if anyone was out on the street before shooting me a disapproving look, and I grinned big at her, wiggling my eyebrows. More payback for that stupid turtle rescue stunt she pulled. She disappeared inside, and I waited until a light turned on upstairs to drive away.

9

Avery

I wokethe next morning to my phone buzzing.

“Hello?” I asked. My voice was raspy with sleep.

“I have a great idea.”

I rubbed my eyes. “Emmett?”

“Are you still sleeping? Adams, it’s nearly nine in the morning.”

“I know, it’s not even nine in the morning, and you’re calling me. So rude.”

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