Page 37 of About That Rule

CHAPTER15

THERE WAS Aspecial pep in Nate’s step. It was all because Samantha’s plane had landed early and she just caught a taxi to his apartment. He was ready to have some fun with her on a friend-level after her latest news of wanting to keep them a secret.

It was a reality check that this marriage was short-term.

Anything long-term wasn’t for him. He’d always known this, but the craziness of them being married was making him contemplate whether he wanted more. Which was ridiculous, obviously. It was time to go back to the rules and just have some fun with his best friend. He missed hanging with her.

Samantha hadn’t gotten off track, so he shouldn’t either.

A knock on his front door alerted him she’d arrived.

He opened the door. “Was that Lady Gaga you were tapping?”

“Obviously.” She smiled as she walked in. “Poker Face is such a fun song. I’m setting the mood for our weekend.”

He pulled at her hair that was in a high ponytail, and she lightly swatted him.

Grabbing her duffle bag, he walked into his bedroom, put her stuff on the dresser, then turned to her as she followed him into his room. “Tonight, I figured we could go out for dinner then grab drinks somewhere.”

“So, the norm,” she added, moving her hands like shooting guns.

She was such a nerd.

“Yes, cowgirl, the norm. I figured we could just play it by ear tomorrow.”

She sat on his bed, and if she were anyone else, he would have been all over her. Who had any right to be so fucking sexy after traveling on a plane for five hours? Her messy ponytail, leggings with a sweatshirt that hung off her shoulder, and fresh face were hot as hell. He put his hands in his pockets so he could resist the urge to touch her—to give in to all the damn wet dreams he’d been having. All starring her.

“It’s almost seven,” she informed him after looking at her cell phone. “I can be ready for dinner around eight.”

This seemed like an ask to give her some personal space to get ready. He left the room and sat on his couch, waiting for her.

He could have easily done some work. Owning his own business, there was always something for him to do. But he was too distracted. Even Candy Crush couldn’t occupy him. Not when she was changing in his room, taking off her clothes.

No, this wasn’t about getting laid. This was about getting back to normal with his closest friend.

“Where are you whisking me away to?” she asked, walking into the room.

He stared her down. Samantha had curled her hair and was wearing jeans, some silky black shirt, and caramel-colored boots that came up to her knees. As he’d expected, she was not going to make it easy on him. Ever since they’d gotten hitched, he seemed to be constantly reminded of how sexy she was. It was getting harder and harder to ignore the attraction as well. Pun intended.

“I figured we could go to Kelly’s. It’s a low-key, Irish pub in the village where we can have a few drinks.” He stood up, putting his phone in his pocket.

She clapped with excitement. “That’s perfect. I’ve never been before, and we can just come home after. I’m a bit zonked after the plane ride.”

They walked out together and took the elevator down to the lobby.

“Are we walking or taxi?” he asked.

“Taxi,” she answered, pointing to her boots. “The heels on these would kill my feet.”

Nate laughed, hailing down a taxi. It wasn’t busy, so he was able to catch one quickly.

He helped her in and told the driver where to go, then he turned his attention back to Samantha. “Why bother wearing them?”

She bopped him on the nose with her finger. “Because they tie the whole outfit together, duh.”

“Your inner marketer coming out, I see.

KELLY’S WAS THEquintessential Irish pub. The walls were dark brown with splashes of green on the trim. There was mahogany paneling on the lower half of the walls, and signs of Irish sayings like “Slainte” and “Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.” Different rugby and soccer club paraphernalia filled the empty spaces. The décor made her smile.