Page 14 of Save Me

“You really want us to be seen?”

“Um…”

“Then how about we hit the grocery store, grab all the makings of some spectacular milkshakes while walking up and down every aisle, and then go back to my place and make them?”

They were standing right under a streetlight and Ryker saw her pale.

Not a great sign.

“Y…your place?”

He nodded. “We’ll have dessert, spend an hour talking, and then I’ll bring you back to get your car. This way, just in case your mother is still casing the place and waiting for you to come back, we’ve actually been somewhere.” Then, because he knew she needed a tiny push, he added. “And you wouldn’t be lying.”

“Dammit.”

Smiling, he knew he had her.

“Come on. We’ll hit the store, grab some milk, ice cream, syrup, and lots of whipped cream,” he told her with a wink.

“Ryker…”

“The more outrageous, the more people will talk about it.”

“I hate that you’re right. I guess I didn’t really put that much thought into how this would all play out.”

They were back at the truck and he helped her in again before climbing in beside her.

“Back when my sister Arianna and her fiancé, Will, were secretly dating, we had to pretend I was the one dating him.”

“What?” He was backing out of the parking spot and that statement made him pause. “Why?”

“Will’s like ten years older than her and my mother was actually trying to fix him up with me,” she explained. “So we would make all these elaborate date plans in front of everyone, and then Will would take Arianna out with him. It was awesome.”

“It sounds ridiculous. Did your mother ever find out?”

She shrugged. “Eventually. I think that’s why she’s so emphatic about fixing me up with guys at the pub. This way she can witness for herself that I’m actually out on a date with them—whether I want to be or not.”

“Does that mean we’re going to have to make at least one date at the pub? You know, for show?”

“I really want to say no, but…I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves. For all we know, her seeing us in the parking lot tonight will be enough for me to build on and we won’t have to actually go out again.”

Ugh…this girl…

Pulling the car over, he slammed it into park and twisted in his seat, facing her. “Can I ask you something?”

Wordlessly, she nodded, but he saw the wariness in her eyes.

“Have I done anything offensive tonight? Anything that was so off-putting that being in my company has you worried for your safety?”

“No…?”

“Okay then. I would appreciate it if every other sentence out of your mouth isn’t about how much youdon’twant to go out with me. It’s pissing me off.” Raking a hand through his hair in frustration, he glared at her. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m the one helping you. The only one saving your ass. So maybe you could say thank you instead of trying to get rid of me every chance you get.”

He didn’t wait for a response and he didn’t utter another word until they were out of the truck at the grocery store.

Once Ryleigh’s feet were on the ground, he regarded her. “Are we doing this?”

For a moment, she didn’t respond and he had to wonder if, by staying silent on the ride over, he’d given her time to reconsider everything.

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