Page 31 of The Good Girl (Nashville Neighborhood)

I forced out a smile, but it was only to mask the unease her statement caused. Was that true? I’d played so poorly, it was sort of comforting to think I might have done it on purpose. Like, subconsciously. An extra lesson with her wasn’t a hardship. But I wasn’t thrilled with losing.

I meant it to be a demand, but it rang out like a plea. “We’ll play again.”

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” She spun her putter in her grip. “I figure you can give me the lesson after dinner.”

“Dinner?” My heart thudded.

We hadn’t made any plans other than the golf game, and this fake date already felt enough like a real one. Adding in dinner was a bad idea, and I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea. Our arrangement needed to stay ‘friends with benefits,’ with no feelings involved. That was the only way to make sure she didn’t get hurt when this thing came to an end.

“I’m making you dinner at my place,” she said. “I got it all prepped earlier today.” Whatever face I was making, it caused her to tilt her head and look at me like I was being silly. “It’s just a way to say thank you,” she cast a hand between us, “for helping. Plus, you get that I like cooking for other people, right? My parents don’t seem to care anymore, so . . . it’ll be nice to have someone else.”

She tried to mask her disappointment with her parents, but it was impossible to ignore. What the fuck was wrong with them? I pictured them walking into the kitchen and discovering me and her at the table, enjoying the meal she’d just cooked. Her folks would lose their goddamn minds.

Also, I was a shitty cook and had no plans for dinner. I should be thrilled she wanted to volunteer. “What are you making?”

She said it like it was as easy and common as a grilled cheese sandwich. “Lobster ravioli in garlic cream sauce.”

Holy shit.

I hadn’t realized I was hungry before, and now my mouth watered. That sounded awesome, but also like a ton of work. She wanted to do that . . . for me?

“Is that okay?” She paused. “Oh, crap. Are you allergic to shellfish? I should have asked if you have any allergies.”

“I don’t,” I said. “And, yeah. That sounds good.”

Relief washed through her expression. “Okay. Great.”

We both glanced at the exit, and then turned back to look at each other expectantly.

“Should we go, then?” I asked.

I didn’t know how much time it’d take her, and I didn’t see a point in finishing the final round. I’d lost, and now I was eager to see just how good this good girl could be when she was in her wheelhouse.

She nodded, so I returned my ball and club to the stand beside the cashier, and she followed suit. We didn’t say a word to each other as we pushed through the glass doors, out into the bright afternoon sun.

Maybe she thought I was trying not to be a sore loser, but that wasn’t it. The silence between us was weirdly comfortable. Like we’d been friends for a long time, even though we hadn’t been.

I was only a few steps away from my car when she spoke.

“Preston.” I turned to discover her with her hand outstretched. She was offering me a handshake. “Good game.”

When I had her soft, warm hand closed in mine, something . . . happened. I wasn’t one to believe in sparks, but a weird energy surged through me. It was as if I’d been wanting the connection to her all day and now relief flooded down my body.

I knew I should let go of her, but I couldn’t.

Instead, I used my hold to haul her close, bringing us chest to chest, and surprise darted through her big, pretty eyes. The urge to kiss her came on sharp and aggressive, but somehow I held it back. I’d lost to her and didn’t want to give up any more ground. I needed to gain some control back.

“Just so we’re clear,” my voice was low, “I’m the one who says when the lessons happen. I’m the teacher, and you? You’re going to be my perfect little student, aren’t you?”

Her breath caught, sex thickened in her eyes, and her hand tried to clench inside mine. Fuck if it wasn’t the hottest thing ever.

“Yes,” she whispered.

A devious smile peeled back my lips. “Good girl.”

NINE

Sydney

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