Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 128742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
In all honesty, Ben isn’t really my type, not to mention eight years older than me. But it’s more the principle of the thing. And the fact that Nate’s dismissive attitude has poked my more combative instincts.
“If you want an adventure,” he says roughly, “you could come with me this summer whilst I’m traveling.”
I snort out a sarcastic laugh. “Right. Sure.” It isn’t a serious invitation and doesn’t deserve a serious response. “Because you haven’t had enough of hauling me all over southern England.”
“I wouldn’t offer if I minded.” At that, Nate’s dark eyes become abruptly intense.
His sudden bouts of earnestness give me whiplash. It’s also honest, though. Maybe even endearing. He doesn’t say much, but I know what he does say I can take at face value. It’s refreshing.
I eye him pointedly. “You still haven’t told me why you invited me to lunch.”
Another shrug. Guys should get shock treatments as children to break them of such infuriating habits.
“Nate,” I push.
He slowly chews his food, then swallows. “I don’t know why I asked. Every now and then, I think about you. Wonder how you’re getting on. New city and all.”
Just when I thought I’d managed to get my heart rate under control around this man, he goes and says things like that.
“So you just wanted to check up on me?” I prompt, ignoring my thundering heartbeat.
“Yeah. Well, no. Bloody hell, I don’t know.” He sounds flustered. “You’re an interesting paradox.”
“I don’t think anyone’s ever called me a paradox before.”
“You are.” He shoves a hand through his messy hair. “Sometimes you come off as wiser than your years. Or maybe worldly is the better word. And then other times, you’re young, inexperienced…” He drifts off.
I bristle. Inexperienced? I mean, he’s not entirely wrong.
But he’s not entirely right either.
He notices my expression and his lips curve slightly. “Like that. That look. Other women, older ones, would try to hide it. The insecurity. Not you, though. Your eyes reveal everything you’re thinking and feeling.”
“And yours reveal nothing,” I counter.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before.”
I fix him with a defiant look. “Let’s say it’s true—I’m young, inexperienced, insecure at times, everything you just said. What of it?”
Something I can’t interpret flickers in his expression. “Some men might be drawn to that. Triggers the urge to take care of you, protect you.”
“Some men, huh?”
He doesn’t respond.
Irritation flares inside me. “I swear, it’s like pulling teeth with you guys. First Jack, now you.”
“Jack?” he says sharply, and I immediately regret my slipup.
“Nothing. Forget it.”
“Something going on with you two?”
“No. I don’t know. I mean, he came home drunk and kissed me and then shoved me into the friend zone, so I don’t know what the fuck, you know?”
“He came on to you?” Nate’s tone takes on a dangerous edge.
“Not like that. It wasn’t aggressive. He sort of sprang it on me and walked off.” I laugh to myself. “Went to bed, actually.”
I forget for a moment who I’m talking to. With the time difference between Eliza and me, I guess I’ve felt the shortage of outlets to get this stuff off my chest. I certainly can’t talk to my roommates about it. Or Celeste, who’d just tell Lee. In my right mind, I wouldn’t unload this information on Nate. But he’s deceptively easy to talk to. He lulls me into complacency.
“Anyway, we had a chat and are going with it never happened,” I finish awkwardly.
Nate has a way of penetrating me with a silent stare until I begin to question my entire existence.
“You seem bothered,” I say to cut the unnerving quiet.
He shrugs. “Seems a shit thing for Jack to do. Especially to a friend.”
I put my utensils down. “How about us? Are we friends?”
“Yes,” he answers. Cautious now as he senses the shift in my demeanor.
“Because I hadn’t decided whether I should bring it up, but since we’re talking about friends kissing friends…I’m not trying to play the home-wrecker.”
You could float a feather in the stillness of his expression. Unreadable, except that I’ve come to discern his flatness as a mask for turbulence and unease.
“I don’t think I’ve asked you to,” he says tightly.
“But you did try to kiss me. And don’t say you were drunk, because the other guy beat you to it.”
Only a twitch at the corner of his jaw gives away his discomfort.
When Nate responds, it’s with slow, measured words. “There was an organic moment. It wasn’t premeditated, and we didn’t act on it.”
“Because we were interrupted.”
“It was a choice, wasn’t it?”
I get it now. This is how he deflects.
“Tell me something,” I say. “Or tell me to piss off if it’s none of my business. But I’ve watched you two. Listened to the way she talks about you. And I can’t for the life of me figure how you and Yvonne make sense.”