Page 75 of The Do-Over

“Hard to believe.” I was happy he hadn’t stepped back; I liked being pressed against his body, held there by his arms. I grinned up at him and said, “I have a confession, by the way.”

“Let me guess—you cheated. You had those answers written on your hand.”

I held up my hands. “Nope.”

“Then…”

“Then, um, I have to confess that I think I’m obsessed with you. With this.” I swallowed and said, “With us.”

A crease formed between his eyebrows. “Emilie.”

“Oh my gosh, don’t ruin it, Stark. I don’t care about anything but today, okay?” I rolled my eyes and poked him in the chest.“I’m talking about being obsessed with uson the DONC. I’m talking about being obsessed with the day we just had. I don’t care about the future, so quit looking likethat.”

I leaned my face closer, like I was going in for another kiss, but I reached into his coat pocket instead, and wrapped my hand around his keys.

He groaned, and the sound of his disappointment made me feel victorious.

“Looks like Emmie’s driving home.” I pulled them out and held his keys over my head, giving them a quick shake before I turned and started running in the direction of the lot where we’d left Betty.

“Give me the keys, Hornby,” he called calmly, following me, still leisurely walking.

I looked over my shoulder as I jogged. “I don’t think so. I’m going to cruise in Betty and you’re going to ride bitch.”

His eyebrows went up and he said around a laugh, “You better give me the keys.”

“These?” I started giggling and jingled them again. “You want these keys?”

His face broke into a grin and he said, “That’s it.”

I screamed and started running faster, and I could hear him sprinting behind me.

“You’re gonna regret this.”

“I don’t think so—”

He caught me, wrapping his arms tightly around my body and lifting me off the ground. I screamed, and then I screamed againwhen he lowered his shoulder, lifted me higher, and then threw me over his shoulder.

“Nick!” I couldn’t stop laughing. “Put me down!”

He easily got the keys from my hand, and then he swatted my backside. “I don’t think so.”

“Come on!” I cried, laughing hysterically as we walked by an older couple taking their dog out.

“Not a chance.” He tightened his grip on me and said, “If you behave like a wild person, young lady, I’m going to treat you like one.”

“Good evening,” the parking attendant said as we passed the ticket booth.

“Good evening,” Nick said in a booming voice, as if he were the friendliest woman-toting person on the planet.

“Are we almost to the car?” I asked, staring down at his very-perfect butt.

“I can see her,” he said.

“So put me down—I’ll be good.”

“I think that’s impossible for you,” he said, but then a minute later he set me down beside his truck.

“Thank you,” I said, pushing back my hair and straightening my shirt. “For the ride to the car. It’s actually what I wanted when I stole your keys. Walking is for suckers.”

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