Page 75 of One Little Kiss
Who’s the guy? Where were you headed?
Why the heck were you out with another guy?
I start to shake with that thought. WhywasI with another guy? Why wasn’t I safe and warm and laughing withthisguy?
“Was this one of your parent’s picks?” He asks it casually like he doesn't really care.
Whether he does or not, the sound of that tone is like a sharp prick against my skin.
“No,” I murmur. “I’m the only one responsible for this bad decision. Unfortunately.” I try for rueful amusement, but it falls flat in the silence between us.
I shift in my seat.
“So how’d you end up at the sheriff’s?”
“Oh, um…” I wince at the memory of realizing too late how drunk Michael was. “He didn’t seem that messed up at first, but once we hit the highway…” I give a little shudder and Elijah reaches forward to turn on the heat.
“Thanks,” I say.
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Yeah. I’m just grateful a deputy spotted his crazy driving and pulled us over.”
He’s quiet for a long moment and I wish I knew what he was thinking. “Do you…want to go home or…”
I flinch before I can stop myself. “Not really.”
That’s why I didn’t call for a car service in the first place. My dad would know that I’d bailed early and there’d be questions I didn’t want to answer.
“You can come over.” The stilted way he says it makes me want to cry. One month ago, it wouldn’t have even been a question. Elijah’s house was a given.
But now…
“That’s okay,” I say.
And yeah, I sound just as awkward.
Out of the corner of my eye I see his hands shift on the wheel. “Mara and the others are all there.”
So we won’t be alone. That’s what he means. My heart is sinking hard and fast with each passing minute.
I can’t do a night of…this. And I have no desire to face any more well-intentioned questions or not-so-subtle looks behind my back from my friends.
“I’ll go home,” I say. “But…thanks.”
He’s quiet for so long I think the conversation’s over. But as he turns right, heading toward my house, he says, “Because you think I’m gonna make a move?”
“No, because…” I trail off, my lips still parted.
Because I’d want you to.
I swallow hard as that harsh truth lands like a blow. If he were cuddled up next to me on the couch or on his bed like we’ve done so many times before…
My heart slams against its cage at the thought, and warmth spreads through my veins and into my limbs making me feel heavy and needy and…rattled..
My senses are fuzzy just thinking about being that close to him. There’s no way I wouldn’t reach for him. No way I wouldn’t say something I can’t take back.
“Fine,” he clips. “I get it.”
