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Instead of letting her see how appealing the idea of her throwing herself at me sounded, I teased her, trying to convince her that she was a lot like Eva so she just might do what her friend suggested. But my teasing appalled her.
When I tapped her nose and mentioned the ring there and how I knew the two of them must’ve gotten them together, she covered
the diamond stud with her hand and frowned at me. “Okay, fine. But I don’t follow her over the cliff every time.”
“No,” I finally had to agree. “But I’m glad you did this time. That ring makes you look incredibly hot.”
Which was true. She’d always been girl-next-door cute, but this put a sexier edge on her. One that made my blood quicken.
Except, holy shit, why had I admitted that out loud? Why did I always reveal more than I knew I should around this girl?
I had teasingly flirted with her before, but nothing quite as overt as this.
Holding my breath for Reese’s reaction, I watched her cheeks flush before she cleared her throat and glanced away, but then a pleased grin lit her face, and I knew she liked what I’d said.
Things inside me grew warm. Anticipatory tension tightened my muscles.
Blowing out a breath, I quietly admitted, “I knew you’d be here tonight.”
Reese jerked her face up. “You… You’re here because of me?”
She looked so delighted that I had to check myself to keep from reaching for her. Blowing out a bracing breath, I held in the things I really wanted to say.
Like:
Of course, you’re the reason I’m here. I like you.
I can’t take on clients anymore because I like you so much.
I want to be with you.
But I can’t be with you because I’ve already put you in more danger than I can even tell you you’re probably in.
With that mental splash of cold water on my face, I suddenly waved the book I’d forgotten I was holding.
“Here,” I mumbled. “I wanted to return this.”
She looked down at the Harry Potter book before slowly taking it back. She seemed somewhat disappointed and a bit confused before her eyes widened. “You mean, you finished it? Already?”
I nodded, suddenly feeling like a nerd. “Sarah… She kept pestering me and wanted us to read as much as we could together. I think I missed a couple of homework assignments because we had to read it every free chance I had.” I breathed in a deep breath, lifting my shoulders. “So… What’s the name of the second one? The Secret Chamber, or something like that?”
She stuttered a moment before saying, “It’s The Chamber of Secrets.” Then she squinted suspiciously. “Did you really, really finish this already?”
“Yes!” I lifted my hands and let out a harassed yet amused laugh. “Do you want to quiz me about it or do you want to give me the next book already?”
Her mouth popped open. “You want to read the next one?” Then, she brightened, straightening her back with a smug kind of glee. “You liked it, didn’t you?”
I shook my head, trying to deny it. “Sarah wants to know what happens next.”
“But you do too,” she insisted, stepping closer and making my breath catch when that familiar scent of hers wafted up. “Admit it. You liked it.”
I held myself stiff, afraid to like how close she’d gotten. “Don’t even think about saying I told you so.”
“Ha!” she cried, spiking up her hands in victory. “I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! I so told you so.”
God, she was cute like this. Torn between rolling my eyes and laughing, I muttered, “I see you’re one of those gracious, humble types of winners.”
“This is so awesome,” she crowed. “I created a Harry Potter fan. You know, if this keeps up, J.K. is going to have to give me a cut of her royalties. Don’t you think?”
