Page 93 of Not Fooling Anyone

I grit my teeth, setting down my bar rag. “Yeah, it’s pretty dead here. Good call cutting me early.” Seriously, I won’t make much more here tonight, and I shouldn’t make Ethan wait if I don’t have to.

She blinks at me, not expecting for me to have called her bluff like that, but doesn’t make any more snide remarks as I clock out and grab my bag out of the back. I savor her confused expression as I return up front and take Ethan’s hand, looking back at her as he holds the door open for me.

Seriously, how petty have I been lately with all these girls from high school? Ethan must be sick of me using him, despite never complaining.

I let go of his hand in the parking lot to put on my sweater, thanking him when he holds open the passenger door.

“I got your car working,” he says as he gets in his seat, buckling his seatbelt. “I put a new battery in.”

He actually fixed it? Holy crap.

“I think the alternator needs work too,” he continues, “but that’s beyond my expertise. My brother Scott’s good with cars, though. I could have him take a look.”

He’d do that for me? “How much do I owe you?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Ethan—”

“I’m serious. I’ve got it covered.”

I press a hand to my chest, the hard thump inside a reminder of how much this man affects me. “I’m going to look for another job soon,” I tell him, “and then I can pay you back.”

He makes a noncommittal noise, ignoring my promise. “Where are you thinking of applying?”

“Maybe that diner we went to? Places like that usually hire quick.”

“Oh, another customer service job? That’s your specialty.”

I playfully smack his arm. “I can behave when I need to.”

He grins, reaching over to grab my hand, and brings it up to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “I know. I’m just teasing.”

He stops at a red light, his fingers warmly encasing mine, and I make a split-second decision and lean over the center console, using my other hand to cup his jaw to turn toward me. His gaze is questioning but interested as he silently watches to see what I’ll do.

I move closer, giving him time to back away if he wants, but he stays where he is, meeting my lips in a gentle kiss.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“For what?”

“For knowing me well enough to tease me. For always helping me.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “For not giving up on me.”

“Lexie,” he murmurs in a low voice, my stomach making that swooping sensation. “I’m always here for you.”

He kisses me again, the action so much more natural than it was a week ago, our mouths fitting together perfectly, no hesitation.

A blaring honk from behind us has us breaking apart, a sheepish grin crossing Ethan’s face as he realizes the light is green.

I sit back in my seat, my heart still pounding. Did I really initiate that kiss? It felt so right, though.

We’re both quiet during the ride to my apartment, his thumb stroking my palm, a growing sense of restlessness ping-ponging around inside me. What does this mean? Where do we go from here?

As he turns into my complex, parking next to my car, one thing becomes clear to me. I don’t want this night to be over.

“Do you want to come inside?” I whisper.

His hand tightens on mine for the briefest moment. “Yes.”

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