Page 52 of Just Another Meet Cute
Before I could answer though, Ian massaged the back of his neck with one hand and laughed. “It doesn’t matter though. I did leave that day, and you ended up meeting Ryan.”
“I did.”
“And you’re dating him now.”
By his flat tone, I wasn’t sure if he was reminding himself or me. “Uh, right. I am dating Ryan.”
Sort of.
The thing is, I still felt like we were in the beginning stage of getting to know each other. And we’ve only kissed once or twice since our date in the park. Light kisses and a couple of hugs here and there.
If you took all that away, then I was closer to Ian. And thanks to that dumb list, he knew more about me than Ryan did, too.
That didn’t mean I wanted tostopgetting to know Ryan though. Just because Ian seemed to understand me didn’t mean that Ryan wouldn’t if I gave him the chance. The more I got to know him, the more he seemed like theperfect guy. Sweet, loyal, and hot. Everything I ever wanted. Who would ever be foolish enough to just throw a guy like that away? And especially for someone who had the perfect girlfriend waiting in the wings?
“What about Megan?” I blurt out. “I mean, how long have you guys known each other?”
Ian looked surprised at the random question, not knowing that I had been wondering about the two of them since she came down the stairs.
He scratched his head. “I guess since we were kids. Maybe six or seven? I don’t actually remember hernotbeing around.”
“Oh. She seems very nice.”
“She’s awesome.”
I glanced over at Ian. After studying each feature of his face, my eyes dropped and lingered on his lips for a few seconds. Three seconds. Five seconds.
Stopping at another red light, Ian leaned back against the seat and rubbed his lower lip with his right index finger like he could feel my gaze on it. Back and forth. I couldn’t look away. It was almost like I was hypnotized. Especially when suddenly the image of him leaning over to kiss me popped into my head like a bubble. All shiny and bright and glimmery.
What would it be like to kiss Ian? Would he put a hand on either side of my face and cup my cheeks or would he lift my chin up with one finger until our lips touched? Would he swoop in for the kiss or take it slowly and build up the anticipation?
Catching my breath, I snapped my face forward, and now it was my turn to be super focused on the road. The white lines on the pavement. The speed limitsign that we just passed. Anything but the cute guy next to me. The cute guy who was totally off-limits in more ways than one. And I definitely shouldn’t be staring at his mouth like a kid in a candy store.Thatwas super embarrassing. Mortifying. Shameful.
Why was it suddenly so hot in the car?
I fumbled with the air-conditioning vents so the ones on my side would blow directly at my face. The cool air hit my flushed cheeks, but it wasn’t getting better. I shoved my short sleeves higher on my shoulders. Short of stripping down to my bra, there was nothing else I could do.
Instead, I messed with the neckline of my T-shirt and hoped he didn’t notice how uncomfortable I was. “Tell me something.”
“About what?”
“Anything about you.” I glanced over at him. “You know all my secrets. It’s only fair that I know one of yours.”
Ian bit on his lower lip as he held in his smile. He reached out to turn the AC a bit higher. “I don’t think that’s how it works.”
Damn, he did notice.I forced myself to stop fidgeting and play it cool. “Come on. You can’t tell me one thing about you? You know a whole list of stuff about me.”
“So you would feel better if you knew that whole list about me, too?”
“Doesn’t have to be that list. Anything about you would be fine.”
“Why do you suddenly want to know about me?” he teased.
Yes, Nina, why did you want to know about Ian?
“I just do.” My finger traced a couple of circles on the cool glass, around andaround his blurry reflection. “We’re friends now, and friends should know things about each other.”
He raised his eyebrow. “I did tell you one of my secrets. About my sisters dressing me up like their personal doll when we were small. Remember?”
