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“Honestly, I didn't know if you would believe me, Holland. We didn't know each other well when it happened. But anyone who treats little old ladies like that is a fucking asshole in my book. It won’t be long before he’s treating his girlfriends like that, I guarantee it.”
“I get that, but—”
“No, you don’t.”
“Eli, I know that you’re pissed at me,” I murmur, swallowing hard. “But can you please just get your lecture out of the way? You were right about him, and I was wrong. There, I started things off for you. You may continue.”
“You think that’s what this is about? Me wanting to be right? To lord it over you?” He shakes his head. “Jesus, Holland. You couldn’t be more wrong.”
I wrap my arms around my middle and stare at him helplessly. “Then what? What is it about?”
He sets his jaw. “No. Just forget it.”
“I can’t forget it! Not when you’re so upset. Eli, it’s twisting me up inside to fight with you like this. I can’t take it.”
I walk over to his bed and sink down onto it, covering my face with my hands. “I hate this. I hate it so much.”
Moments later, I feel the gentle sweep of his fingers against my cheek. When I drop my hands to my lap, I find him kneeling in front of me. He’s studying me with those beautiful brown eyes, all traces of anger gone, and I can’t look away.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly. “You were right. I shouldn’t have asked him to the party. I should have respected your feelings. I know you were just looking out for me.”
“Yeah,” he nods. His palm still rests on my cheek, and his fingers are warm on my skin. “Yeah, I was. But I think I was looking out for myself, too.”
I blink. “What do you mean?”
His fingers slide up into my hair. “I mean that even though I know you’re not into him, I still didn’t want to spend the night watching him work his game on you. Trying to put his hands on you.”
His gaze grows hot as he stares down at me, making my breath hitch and my pulse kick into overdrive. “Why would that bother you?”
“Because I want to be the only one to touch you. The only one to kiss you,” he whispers. “No one else.”
The air whooshes from my lungs, and I tremble at his gentle touch.
“But you said...” I stop, then swallow hard. “You said that you wouldn’t kiss anyone you weren’t into. Anyone you felt nothing for.”
“Yeah, I did.” He tips my chin up with his finger. “And I meant it.”
12
“Uh, how much have you had to drink?” I blurt out.
He bows his head, and I see his shoulders shaking with laughter.
When I playfully smack him on the arm, he looks back up at me and flashes that grin I love so much.
“You think I’m saying this because I’m drunk?” he asks.
“Areyou?”
“I’ll admit I’m pretty happy, but that’s not why I’m saying it.” He studies me for a moment. “I’ve told you how I feel, and what I want, but you haven’t said if my feelings are one-sided or not.”
To my horror, I start to giggle. Before I know it, I’m doubled over with laughter and can’t stop.
“Well,thisis doing my ego wonders,” he mutters, placing his palms on his thighs. He’s still kneeling on the floor, watching me, one eyebrow cocked.
“No, no,” I wheeze, waving my arms in front of me. “Eli, don’t youknow?”
He doesn’t say anything, then gives his head a shake.
