Page 9 of I Can't Help It

Carpooling means we’ll be around each other even more than necessary, and I’ll be ruined by the time we make it to the lodge.

“We probably should carpool,” she says, watching me expectantly. “Ya know, to save gas?”

To save gas.

It’s a logical reason, but Ava isn’t suggesting it because of logic. No, Ava is suggesting it because she knows I’m hesitant to agree.

Never in my life have I craved and dreaded a woman’s attention so freaking much.

Stay strong, Luke. Carpooling isn’t mandatory. Colton didn’t say anything about carpooling. Just come up with an excuse for why you can’t carpool.

Yeah, let me just tell her about my nonexistent fear of carpooling that developed after reading horror story threads online. It’ll be totally believable and won’t offend her at all.

NOT.

“Luke?”

I focus my attention back on Ava. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, as in we should carpool?” she asks with a smirk.

How can one little smirk have so much power?

“We can carpool.”

I won’t say “should” because I still don’t think it’s the best choice for us, but it’s the best choice for the trip.

To save gas.

Excitement shines in her eyes again. “Okay, well, what time are you picking me up?”

Don’t. Panic.

It’s not a date.

It’s not a romantic getaway.

This. Is. A. WORK. TRIP.

“Luke, what time are you picking me up?”

She’s relentless, I’ll give her that.

I rub the back of my neck. “How’s eight thirty sound?”

“Eight thirty sounds fine. I’ll text my address to you.”

And with that, she turns to walk away.

But then she makes an “ooh” sound and stays put instead. “I don’t have your number yet.”

You’re killing me, Ava Ashton.

“No,” I say, trying not to wheeze, “you don’t.”

“Hmm.” She takes a step closer to me. “We should probably change that, huh?”

And to think I was bitter yesterday about not having her “digits.” Now I’ll have them once she has mine. I can’t decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

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