Page 27 of Imperfect Player

“Put it away,” Ethan directs me. “There’s already a car headed here.”

“You keep making these incorrect assumptions. First the cheesecake, then me wanting to be friends with you, and now a ride?”

He tosses me a look, one that says there isn’t a woman on this planet that wouldn’t get in a car with him if he asked. And he’s right. His smile alone is enough to draw you in. Add in the rest of him? He’s damn near irresistible.

We stand, arm to arm, as we wait for the Uber to arrive.

“It was very sweet of you to invite me to dinner.”

“Sweet, huh? I guarantee my last few dates would disagree with me being sweet.”

“Good thing this isn’t a date then, or maybe I would disagree too.”

A car pulls to a stop in front of us. It sure as hell isn’t an Uber.

“What’s this?”

“Car service.” He opens the door for me. “Get in.”

I slide into the seat, and he closes the door behind me. A moment later he’s sitting next to me.

Silence falls over us. I’m wondering where this car is going to take us and what I should do about the mixed signals he’s been sending all night.

We’ve barely driven two blocks when the car rolls to a stop in front of a tall building.

“I would invite you inside,” he says, “but I have an early day tomorrow.”

“Me too.”

“Goodnight, Everly.”

“Goodnight, Ethan.”

Ethan pats the driver on the shoulder. “Take her wherever she needs to go.”

Chapter 7

Ethan

Inviting Everly to dinner was a bad idea.

When I talk to her, though, it’s like talking to an old friend. At least what I assume that would be like if I actually had any friends. Not that I really want them. Everly’s a different story though. There’s something about being with her. I trust her, despite barely knowing her. I like her, even though I shouldn’t.

Everything about being with her is enjoyable—easy, even. We ate. We laughed. That was my favorite part. Christ, I can’t remember the last time I laughed like that.

It’s the very reason why as I leave practice, I send a text to her.

No doubt about it. I’m addicted. To her. To the way she makes me feel. Fuck me if I don’t even care that we’ve friend-zoned the whole situation. Sex would great. Outstanding, I’m sure. Her presence is enough though.

I just hope I don’t do something stupid to fuck it up.

Me: We have a problem.

It’s barely been two days since my dinner with Everly, and yet here I am needing more. Another fix of . . . her.

Everly: We do?

The response comes quicker than I expect. My smile, even faster. What in the hell is it about this woman that turns me inside out and upside down?

---