Page 24 of I Can't Help It

Even so, I make another attempt while staring at my pinkies with so much intensity that my vision becomes cross-eyed and blurred. While I’m eager to get rid of these hiccups, I really don’t want to mess up my contacts in the process…

Hiccup.

Shocker, my pinkies touched again.

I lean over toward Luke, then take a sneaky whiff of his amazing cologne before whispering, “What am I doing wrong?” Hiccup.

The smile on his face should annoy me, but it doesn’t.

He. Is. Too. Freaking. Cute.

“You’re not doing anything wrong,” he matches my hushed voice.

I look at him like he’s crazy while also loving how intimate this feels. Sure, we’re talking about hiccups, but a shiver races down my spine anyway.

“The trick is to distract you until the hiccups go away on their own,” he continues, his voice still warm and quiet. “So, it’s working.”

“They haven’t gone away though,” I whine, unable to hold back a pout. “I’m still—” I gasp before sitting up straight again. “Wait. Oh my gosh, did they actually stop?”

He gives me a smug look. “Told you, the pinky trick works."

“Well, I’ll keep that in mind whenever I’m stuck with hiccups again, but hopefully I won’t get them for a while.”

“Agreed.”

The car becomes quiet as I gaze out my window. This little road trip of ours has gone by way too fast. I’m not ready for it to be over…

Sure, we’ll be around each other at the lodge, but Luke will have an easier time avoiding me if he decides to. On the other hand, it doesn’t seem like he hates my company, so that’s a good sign. Maybe he won’t run away from me once we check in. Or maybe—

“The trees are pretty,” Luke interrupts my thoughts. “Seeing the different shades of red, yellow, and orange is one of my favorite parts about fall.”

Yes, let’s talk about fall. It’s a much better option than thinking about what’s going to happen after we get to the lodge.

“I love how it’s not too hot and it’s not too cold,” I muse with a happy sigh. “Fall is the only time I can manage to comfortably wear a jacket and shorts together.”

At the mention of what I’m wearing, Luke swallows before side-eyeing my exposed legs.

I honestly didn’t wear these jean shorts to get his attention, but I’m glad he noticed the result of my favorite cardio workouts. And I’m even more glad that I didn’t cut myself while shaving last night, or that I didn’t find any unshaved sections afterward like I usually do.

Otherwise, I’d be cranky and wearing a pair of leggings right now.

“Yeah.” He clears his throat and focuses on the road again. “I enjoy the weather like this too. It’s nice.”

Hmm. Should I stir the pot a little bit?

I vote yes.

“Ya know,” I drawl, tapping a few fingers against my thigh, “I read somewhere once that fall is the most romantic season. Do you think it’s true?”

He shifts in his seat while appearing to contemplate my question, and then he licks his lips. “To me, any season can be romantic. I guess it just depends on the person though.”

I fight the urge to lick my own lips. “So, does that mean you’re the kind of person to make any season romantic?”

“Could be. If I was involved with the right kind of woman, I would definitely make the effort.”

Hello? Yes, I’d like to apply for the “right kind of woman” position so I can experience romanticized seasons with Luke! PLEASE and THANK YOU.

But I keep that craziness to myself and decide to dig around for more information like a pirate looking for buried treasure. “And what is Luke Tanner’s right kind of woman?”

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