“Hmm. I can always sleep here. The dog kennels look so comfy to me. Who needs to go home?”
“Yes, but then I’d be forced to do the same, unfortunately. I can’t possibly leave you here alone. Someone might come harass you for your tips. And worse, you’d probably hand them all over.” He scrunches his nose at me. “So either we both sleep in the kennels tonight, or you come over and eat breakfast with me in the morning.”
The thought of seeing him again tomorrow makes my palms sweat with anticipation. “You’re seriously not sick of me yet? We just spent all week together.”
He blinks at me like I just spoke another language. The softest frown creases his brow, and when he speaks, his voice is a low murmur. “If anything, I only want more.” At first, I think he’s joking, but his eyes bore right into mine with anything but humor. My heart expands in my chest as he takes a step toward me, cradling my face in his warm hands. “Now get in the car before you catch a cold.” He rubs his thumb back and forth across my cheek.
I nod, but I’m trapped in his stare, so I don’t move. I can’t. Not when his gaze is doing unspeakable things to my resolve.
This feels too real, too raw.
I’m not prepared.
And then he breaks away to open the door to my own car for me. I slide in behind the wheel, gently taking the keys when he hands them to me.
“Goodnight, pumpkin.”
His voice is soft. Fond. It wraps around me like a blanket. Makes me shiver like a cool gust of wind.
It hits me then just how much I care about him. I already knew I did, but notthismuch.
No matter how much I push him away, he just keeps coming back. It’s the kind of dedication I’ve always craved yet found it so hard to believe in this past year after what Cole did.
But here Bash is, proving me wrong. Since I’ve known him, he’s never let me down the way I thought he would.
He cares about me, and I…I care about him. That’s all it is, Romilly. There’s no way—no way—this is love.
I repeat the words in my head the whole way home. And as I slip into bed, I pray for clarity, for understanding about me and Bash, because none of this was supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way about him. Not about anyone—but especially, not him.
I pray more than once, putting everything I have into it.
But when the answer doesn’t come right away, I’m left more confused than before.
Chapter Twenty-Three
BASH
“I can’t believethe day you picked to invite her back is one I have to work.” Ingrid pouts and crosses her arms across her black waitress uniform. And here I thought you were starting to become considerate.”
“I am considerate. I considered that Romilly might enjoy the treat you made, didn’t I? And it’s also her only day off this week. I think she’d work all seven if God didn’t command a day of rest.”
Ingrid huffs, snatching her keys off the counter. I sink back into my chair at the table, opening my phone to a text from my agent.
Max
Have you seen the comments on Munera’s latest post? No one thinks you can beat Connor Stronghold next week.
Me
thank you for the confidence boost, mate
Max
As your friend and agent, it’s my duty to keep the fire lit underneath you. Otherwise you might start slacking.
As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. I do need to focus. I’ve been so obsessed with Romilly I haven’t been giving training the attention it deserves.
“Bye,” says Ingrid before walking out the front door.
