Page 83 of Never With You
His smile is instant. “And what exactly is my red flag?”
“Groping women,” I deadpan.
He buckles over with laughter, breaking me. As much as I try to fight it, a broad smile stretches across my mouth, bringing laughter with it.
I playfully punch his shoulder. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“Saving you from that prick.”
“Besides that.”
“I was just out exploring when I saw you talking to them. I just figured you could use a little boost from our fake relationship.”
“Ugh, yes. I hate talking to them.”
“Why did you even date him in the first place?”
“When I started at Houselink Solar, Isaac was completely charming. He swept me off my feet, and our lives intertwined so much with work that it was easy to start a relationship. But then things started to change. He nitpicked little things about my personality and talked down to me. It was hard to tell if that was Isaac, my superior at work, talking, or Isaac, my boyfriend, so I let it slide. It’s not like I saw forever in his eyes, but I didn’t want to rock the boat at work, so I stayed with him for the wrong reasons.” I draw in a heavy breath, announcing with a huff, “That’s why I’ll never date a coworker again.”
“Really?” His brows lift.
“Yep.” I nod. “It’s a hard-and-fast rule.”
“Technically, you’re dating me so?—”
“Nope.” I stop Nate before he can finish. “That’s all fake, so it doesn’t count.”
“Hmm.”
I eye him, not liking his deep-in-thought expression.
I wiggle the flowers in front of his face, pulling him out of his trance. “And who are these for?”
“My mother.” Why is that the cutest thing I’ve ever heard? “But they’re yours now.”
“I’m not taking your mom’s flowers.”
“I want you to have them so you’ll always remember how I rescued you from Isaac and how you owe me.”
“I don’t owe you anything.” I sniff the flowers. “I’ve already done enough today.”
“No, I went above and beyond back there. I kissed your cheek, your neck,andgrabbed your butt. You definitely owe me.”
I wrestle the smile that wants to break free on my lips. “Don’t even try. Youwantedto grab my butt, and it was more of a pat than anything. Let’s not get too excited over there.”
“Pat. Grab. It’s all the same. I think I’d like to cash in on my reward.”
My lips purse as I glower back at him. “What do you want?”
“I’d like to know—in detail—what happened between us in that dream of yours.”
“No.” I shake my head.
“Carly, you owe me.”
“There’s nothing to tell, because nothing happened in that dream.”
“The blush on your cheeks tells a different story.”
