Page 19 of Shattering Nash

Charley spun too quickly and found herself pinned against her car door with Nash only a foot away.He followed me out? Why?

“W-what?”

He angled his head. “I make you nervous.”

Her brows shot up to her hairline. “No.”

Liar.

“That’s not what you said earlier.”

Charley racked her brain for an excuse. She came up with nothing. Maybe Nash would let it go.

“Those were your words.”

Nope.

She fisted her keys in her bag. Her small chuckle was shaky, showcasing her nervousness. She was desperately trying to play it off. And failing.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled. “I make you nervous in a good way?”

This was disastrous.Please, let it go, Nash.

“Charley,” he whispered.

“I’m shy,” she blurted, cringing at her response. Then she made it worse. “Especially around people like you.”

His gaze narrowed. “People like me?”

Obviously, that was the wrong terminology. Was that offensive? That was definitely offensive.

“N-no” —She held up her hands— “I didn’t mean that in a bad way.”

“So, people like me” —He paused— “in a good way?”

Charley closed her eyes and lowered her head. If she could crawl in a hole, she would. But there was no magical snap of her fingers to disappear.

She blinked open her eyes, staring down at the ground with his black shoes in her peripheral vision. No escaping this blunder.

“I meant, men like you. Successful, smart, handsome, well-dressed, well-spoken, highly regarded.” She paused. “Handsome…”

“You said that twice.” There was a slight tease in his tone, and she felt her cheeks burn.

I did, didn’t I?

“Charley?”

She hesitated but ultimately looked up. He leaned forward, and for a brief second, he was close enough to kiss her. Their lips were a breath away. She drew in a breath as her heart pumped heavy in her chest. Nash grabbed the handle of the door, brushing his arm against her waist.

“Have a nice night.”

She quickly nodded and turned. He opened the door, and she slipped inside, refusing to look at him. When the door closed, she rushed to pull out her keys and start her car.

Get me outta here.

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