Page 45 of Asking For It

As we drove to breakfast, my phone chimed again.Thatwas one of my friends. “I should turn this off,” I muttered, swiping at the screen.

“I don’t want you to miss anything important.”

And I wasn’t up for talking to Sadie in front of Kingston. “It’s a friend. I’ll call her back.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I don’t want them to know I’m with you.” Why did I say that? I could have gone withreally, it’ll wait. But I had to be honest instead.

Kingston’s expression shifted to disconcertingly neutral. “Why not?”

Because they looked out for me. That I was out withhimmight not be easy to understand. I didn’t want my friends to judge me. Not that they ever had, but they’d never seen me do something like this. “Last time I told them about you, you were the asshole who wanted buy my shop, and slept with me to get to it.”

“Except I didn’t, and they’re not going to know otherwise until you tell them.” He was frowning now. It was better than no emotion, but it still hurt to see.

“I’m sorry. You’ve been honest with me from the start—except that whole fake name thing—this is all coming out wrong.”

His frown relaxed. “Happens to the best of us.”

“If you’re sure you don’t mind...”

“You telling your friends I’m not actually an asshole? I’m pretty sure.” Now the teasing was back.

Telling Sadie meant admitting this was more than a fling, but not saying anything hurt Kingston. I didn’t want to do that, because I cared that he was happy. Maybe thiswasmore than a fling. A fling with a guy whose best friend loved him. With said best friend apparently trying to push us together. How did this get so complicated so quickly?

I called Sadie back.

“Hey.” She was cheerful. “Stopped by your place and you were gone. Are you busy today?”

“You know it’s ungodly early on a Sunday, right?” I teased. Anything before ten was a foul thought to Sadie.

“I’m aware.” Her huff was playful. “But last week you seemed sad, and I haven’t heard from you since, so I’m checking in with you.”

The concern warmed me. “I’m good.” Her bringing up last week was the perfect segue to where I was, but more stuck in my throat.

Kingston rested his hand on my knee, sending a shower of sparks to mingle with my hesitation.

“Are you sure? Do you want to hang out? I miss you,” Sadie said.

I did adore her. “I’m... rain check? I’m on a date.”

“Is that code forI woke up in a stranger’s bed and I don’t know how to get out of here without a fuss. Save me? Sayyesand I’ve got your back.”

Because I didn’t date. “No. An actual date.”

Kingston pulled into the parking lot of a diner, and shut off the engine.

“Is that why you’re not calling us?” Excitement bled into Sadie’s voice. “Tell me all about him. No, wait, you’re with him now. Tell him you need friend approval. Not that you do, but I want to see this guy that Lyn is willing to call adate. Do you like him? Of course you do. How did you meet him?”

She didn’t expect me to answer all of her questions, but the last one was the most important. I glanced at Kingston, who was watching me, then tried to force my thoughts into some semblance of order. “You know how I told you about those guys who want to buy my shop?”

“And the sex? And the assho— oh, no. Lyn.”

Was that disappointment? Judgment? “Yes.” I switched the phone over to FaceTime. Sadie wouldn’t filter herself and I needed that right now. I showed her Kingston.

He grinned and waved. “Kingston. Asshole Extraordinaire, at your service... Holy shit, you’reSadie Sews.”

“Not relevant. What did you do to my Lyn?” Sadie demanded.

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