Page 68 of Sunshine with You
If it wasn’t for the effort Hunter’s been showing, I’d have said yes immediately. But my people-pleasing ass is stuck trying to placate someone who’s said he wants me to make these dating decisions for myself. It’s time to stop doing that. I like Trevor, maybe even a little more than I did when we started the date tonight. There’s no other reason to say no.Except for Hunter.
“Yeah, that sounds fun,” I say, my conscience sounding off caution bells like we’re headed into a nuclear war.Should I be going through with this?
“My thoughts exactly.” He smiles and signals to the waitress for the check.
When we get back to Chase and Kayla’s, Trevor insists on seeing me to the door. Our arms brush as the elevator settles on the fourth floor, sending warm waves through me that make me want to snuggle into him. He tangles our fingers together while leading me down the hallway, tucking my thumb under his as if for safekeeping. His hand completely encloses mine, and this gentle sign of protection has my heart thumping away.
“I had a lot of fun tonight,” he says once we reach the door.
“Me too, old man,” I tease, biting my lip as I look at him through my lashes. He laughs, but there’s a simmering blaze in his eyes. Since he’s so tall, he’s bent to just about my eye level.He’s going to kiss me.I’m pretty sure I want him to.
My lips part as they meet his, and broad fingers lightly graze my cheek. Fresh mint on his tongue, the soft pressure of his mouth on mine, his thumb drifting across my chin—it’s all so sweet. Warm and comforting. I kiss him back, my belly fluttering as a sigh leaves my lips. It doesn’t last long, but when he pulls away, his face looks as flushed as mine feels.
“Good night, Ashlie,” he says, keeping hold of my hand until I enter the code on the door.
“Good night,” I whisper, smiling and shooting him one last look before stepping inside.
Kayla and Chase are snuggled up on the couch with the TV on, laptops out, and books in their hands, trying to look nonchalant.
“You two were spying from the camera, weren’t you?
“Nope—”
“It was his idea.” Kayla’s voice rushes at the same time as Chase’s.
Chase turns to Kayla, mouth agape. “Oh, withyourphone?”
“I was just making sure she was okay!” Kayla protests.
“Mm-hmm. Might wanna ask Artie how to improve your spying game…” I tease, backing up toward their guest bedroom.
“How was it?” Kayla asks, wiggling her eyebrows.
“I don’t kiss and tell… Goodnight,” I chime over my shoulder with a singsong voice.
The kiss was good. I had tingles in all the right places. Everything was what a first kiss should be. But I can’t shake the guilt I felt when Trevor pulled away and my mind flashed to the green eyes waiting for me in LA.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ASHLIE
“You’re being ridiculous,” I say, feigning annoyance as my arms settle over my chest. “It’s still on the secret menu. Just ask them…”
“Naw. It’s almost spring. Pumpkin spice season isdefinitelyover, and I’m not making a fool of myself by tryna order it.”
The Saturday morning sun hits Hunter’s tinted car windows, illuminating the space around him in a way that makes me want to skip our coffee date and straddle his lap. But I’m on a mission. Laying it on thick, I break out the puppy dog eyes, complete with a slight wobble to my lower lip. “Please?”
“Not the lip…” He drags a hand down his face, sighing loudly. “You know I can’t fucking handle that thing.”
I resist the urge to laugh as he climbs from the car, keeping up the act until he’s pulled me from the passenger seat. He presses a kiss to my hand and weaves our fingers, and my smile breaks free with the eruption of butterflies in my belly. He’s claimed to hate PDA in the past, but you’d never guess by the way he strokes my hand with his thumb. I reinforce his decision with a small squeeze. I love these cute couple things—especially with him. Silly little bet aside, intimacy is effortless with Hunter. As annoyed as I get when I’m horny and can’t jump his bones, I see why he took sex off the table. It would only make this more complicated.
The fresh smell of coffee wafts over us when we walk into Cosmic Brews. A large chalkboard menu above the machines spans the entire brick wall. Small wooden bistro tables for two are lined on either side of the ordering line. We step up to the register, and because he was so insistent about this damn drink, I half expect him to order me something safe and sensible. I know I can make my own order, but I like having him take charge. It does things to me.
“Let me get a small Cuban espresso…” He hesitates, sliding his eyes to mine as I hang onto his arm. “And, um, a medium PSL.”
I stifle my giggle in his shirt at his abbreviated rebellion.Mission accomplished.Staring up at him with a self-satisfied grin, I flutter my lashes. His eye roll doesn’t hide the smirk twitching his lips.
“Anything for you,Hunter.” The long-haired brunette cashier smiles and winks before he has the chance to give his name, and the baristas at the coffee machines erupt into titters. I know he comes here multiple times a week, but this is a large coffee chain. Remembering him by name? That’s suspect. They clearly see me hanging on his arm and just don’t care. Judging by those heart-eyed responses at the machines, I’m sure he’s had the time of his life with everyone behind the counter. My cheeks heat, and not in a good way.Where the hell is this coming from?
