Page 61 of Dead Pretty

I freeze—and not from the cold. “The strap is new?”

His smiling eyes meet mine. “Yeah, it came with the new helmet.”

“You bought a new helmet?”

“Well, yeah. I only had the one, and I couldn’t let you ride without one.”

He bought a helmet for me.

He. Bought. A. Helmet. For. Me.

It’s not a big deal.

Yes, it is. It’s a huge deal!

He must see something in my eyes that prompts him to say, “It’s not a big deal, Audrey.”

“It’s not?”

“You can’t ride without a helmet, so I got you one. It’s that simple.” He shrugs.

Maybe it’s not a big deal. Maybe I’m just out of practice at this whole peopling thing.

But still … he bought this just for me. Yes, it’s just a helmet. But it’s still a kind and thoughtful thing to do.

Ugh!

I’m only ten minutes into this date with him, and I’m a puddle of melted goo on the floor.

So much for shutting down my attraction to him.

Although, in my defense, he isn’t exactly making it easy for me to do so.

He’s making it so, so much harder.

And I’m starting to realize that maybe there is no way for me to stop liking Jack.

So, I guess I’m left with the only thing I can do … make Jack dislike me.

Jack parks the bike outside a double-story brick building. It has a covered porch out front with steps leading up to the door. It could almost be a house. I look up at the sign on the building—Animal Adoption and Rescue Center.

Huh.

We must be going somewhere nearby.

I clamber off the back of his bike, none too gracefully. My legs feel wobbly.

It has nothing to do with the fact that I had my front pressed up against Jack’s back and my arms wrapped around his stomach for the last fifteen minutes.

Oh no, it’s totally from the bike ride.

And that was sarcasm if you didn’t catch it.

I fiddle with the chin strap, trying to undo it, but it’s a tricky little fucker.

Still straddling his bike, Jack removes his gloves and takes off his helmet. He puts it in the helmet bag.

Using his hand, he shoves his hair back off his face. His waves fall into place.