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“Okay.” There was more to the story than he was telling, but even she knew when a bear had been poked too much. “Well, I’m glad you’re glad, too.” With a soft smile of her own, she bumped her elbow against his arm. “For what it’s worth, I think you turned out pretty great.”
His lips curled upward. “You didn’t turn out so bad yourself, Itch.”
“Hey!” She swatted at him. That’s what he and Han and their friends had called her when she was really bugging them.
“Sorry, sorry!” He put his hands in front of his face as she swung at him again.
And she was just goofing around—really, she was. He was, too. But she rose onto her toes and reached up, aiming for a good smack upside his head. “Take it back.”
“I take it back. I take it back.” He grabbed her wrists in his big, strong hands. He held on to her, stopping her from taking another shot at him.
He was breathing hard. She was, too.
Suddenly, it dawned on her exactly how close they were standing. Her chest was practically brushing his. Heat radiated off his body, soaking into hers, and out of nowhere, she couldn’t get enough air.
She darted her gaze to his. Surprise colored his eyes, like he’d just realized the position they were in, too.
But he didn’t let go.
Forget fluttering. Her whole chest was on fire. She was dizzy with the unexpected rush of contact.
Of his gaze darting down to her lips.
A pang of wanting hit her so hard it took her breath away. She looked to his mouth, too, red and soft. She’d been dreaming about this since she was twelve, but this was real. Devin James was really standing here with her, looking at her.
“Zoe…”
Before he could move, a bright light suddenly blinded them. Devin jerked away, shielding his eyes. Zoe cursed.
Right. Without her even really noticing, they’d arrived at her house.
And the floodlights outside had just turned on. Humiliated anger swept across her cheeks. She looked at Devin, but he was backing up—fast.
“Sorry. Good grief, Zo.”
“What—”
“You should go in.” His throat bobbed as he gestured at the house.
And it was hard to make out, given the glare of the lights. But yeah. That was her mom standing just inside the door.
She cursed beneath her breath. “Look—”
“You should go,” he said again, firmer.
She wanted to laugh. Almost as much as she wanted to cry.
Five seconds ago, he’d been looking at her like she was anything but the little girl she used to be. His gaze had been hot as fire, his hands grasping at her wrists like he had no intention of letting go. He’d been about to kiss her.
Her.A grown woman, fully capable of making her own decisions.
“Devin.” She hated the shakiness in her voice.
“Keep the jacket,” he told her, backing away. “I can grab it from Han. Later.”
“Devin,” she called again.
Regret flashed in his eyes.
