Page 56 of No More Heartbreakers

He looked down at me with narrowed, assessing eyes. “Fair enough, but if I look in my rearview and your little clown car isn’t behind me, I’m going to track you down. Even if you drive to your parents’ house and try to hide behind those three monster brothers you’ve been telling me about. I’ll have to… I don’t know… climb in your bedroom window or something.”

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s?”

“Yup. Thanks, Lillemor.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t try to escape,” I promised. “So… where are we going?”

“My place. Follow me.” Aric got into his Lamborghini and backed out, waiting for me at the parking lot entrance.

I kept my word and followed him, though I had to do a sanity check.

We’re going to his apartment. At night. Late.

My heart was rolling in my chest like one of those bumpy dryer balls on the more-dry cycle.

I had no idea where Aric lived—I’d never asked, fearing what the question might reveal about my interest level in him.

My curiosity grew as he drove to the posh Country Club Estates neighborhood.

No way did he live in one of these huge houses. But his sports car pulled into a cul-de-sac, then the long driveway of a gorgeous cottage-style home with French doors all across the front and wrap around porches.

It was one of those new houses built to look like an old one, luxurious but traditional and fitting for the environment.

“Who lives here?” I asked as we both got out of our cars.

“Well, the Deerings live there.” He pointed to the big house. “And I live here.”

Aric walked over to the freestanding garage apartment and unlocked the door. He opened it and flipped a light switch to reveal a staircase leading to the second floor of the structure.

I stopped in the driveway, suddenly afraid to be alone with him in any enclosed space containing a bed.

Or a sofa.

Or a kitchen counter.

Not because of what he might do, but because of whatImight do.

“Can we… I’d rather talk outside if it’s okay.”

“Oh sure. Of course—that’s what I was thinking anyway. I just have to get my… Whoa. Hey boy. Hey, how’s my main man?”

A large golden retriever bounded down the stairs and burst out of the apartment straight at me. He leapt on me in a rush of blond fur and pink tongue, nearly knocking me off my feet.

“Thor. Get down.” Aric ran toward us, shouting.

The dog obeyed immediately, crouching in front of me and bobbing up and down with the suppressed desire to attack me with his friendliness. Aric reached me and put his hands on my upper arms.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Sorry. I should’ve thought that through better. He’s usually well-behaved, but he loves girls.”

Aric reached down and rubbed Thor’s head, sending a huge smile spreading across the dog’s face. “You’re a ladies’ man, aren’t you, boy?”

“Like father, like son,” I muttered.

“What?”

“I remember you said you had a dog.”

“Yeah. He’s been cooped up too long today. The Deerings usually let him run around all day when I’m working, but they’re out of town.”

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