Page 15 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

If I asked about work, he might actually answer. If I asked a personal question, there was a chance he’d drop me off on the side of the road and head home.

Because I knew he really wanted brisket, I tried the second option. “Where do you live? Now that you aren’t living at Harper’s.”

He pulled to a stop along the curb. I’d underestimated his shyness, and now I’d have to walk again.

He turned off the engine before opening his door. “Cami didn’t tell you?”

“If I knew the answer, I would’ve asked a different question.”

After setting his cowboy hat on his head, he grinned. “Right.”

I chased after him as he sauntered up the sidewalk. “Are you going to tell me?”

“Nope.” He stopped in front of a walkway and pointed at the house. “After you.”

Sometimes it was hard to tell if he was being stingy with his words or if he was intentionally trying to frustrate me.

When we made it to the door, I spun around.

Even with those sunglasses on his face, I could read his surprise. “What time are you going to check on me tonight? I want to be ready.”

He reached around me and opened the door. “After you.”

“You really don’t have to worry about me. I can handle myself.” I inched closer to him, wanting some sort of reaction.

Looking down at me, he pulled off the glasses. “You going to carry thattinycan of pepper spray with you into the shower from now on?”

Dang. The man didn’t miss anything. I bet he did know what color my towel was.

* * *

After that complete sentence,one that felt a whole lot like flirting, Eli didn’t say another word to me. Forget words, I didn’t even get a nod.

For the last hour, he’d stayed at least ten feet away. But he’d looked at me. More than once.

Several of the guys—including Eli—were in the yard, playing Corn Hole. Haley was out there too.

Tessa and I were on the patio, sitting near the firepit and sipping lemonade.

Haley threw her hands in the air. “I win!”

Eli laughed. “Haley, you and Zach must practice every night.”

“Right. That’s what we doeverynight.” Zach shook his head.

Haley poked Eli in the side. “Want to know what we really do every night?”

“No. I don’t.” He strolled to the porch.

“Roasting time.” Haley ran back to the porch.

I leaned closer to Tessa. “Okay so help me with your family tree. Eli is your cousin, and Eli is Zach’s cousin.”

“Right. But Zach and I aren’t cousins. I just know him because he’s lived here forever.”

“Got it.” I watched as Eli hovered on the far edge of the patio.

Haley handed me a long metal skewer. “Jumbo marshmallow or Peep? Which do you want to roast?”

---