“If it did, we wouldn’t be talking right now.”
He has a point.
“Wouldn’t you be embarrassed to tell people your girlfriend is in college? I mean, not that I’m yours,” I backtrack.
He smiles. “Nah. I’d be puffing my chest out like a rooster in the hen house.”
“Really?” I shift onto my side, take the phone with me, and set it on a fluffed-up pillow close to my head.
“You’re smart, sweetness, and come next year, you’ll have a college degree that’ll be used to make a difference in people’s lives. You’ll get them out of their isolation and experiencing life again. Who wouldn’t be proud of your accomplishments? If they aren’t, they’re not worth having in your life.”
I tear up. Carlos said something similar. “I really wish you were here.”
“Me too, Ever. Even with the threat of getting pummeled by your shadow.”
“He’s not here,” I admit.
“And here I am all alone.” He threads his fingers through his hair and blows out a breath, looking older than earlier, but still sexy as ever. I have a feeling Bobby will age like fine wine.
“I should’ve stayed and taken you up on your offer,” I say before I remember the implication. Had I stayed, all hell would have broken loose when Ty brought up my location and realized my phone hadn’t moved from Alexandria in hours.
“My brother tracks me.”
Bobby stares at me for two heartbeats before he answers. “Noted.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“I would never say no to you, Ever.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
He smiles. “Looking forward to it, sweetness, as long as I get to hold you afterward.”
He’s too charming. Too sexy. Too everything. And I love it.
“Um, what would it look like were we to date?” It’s a loaded question. “You’re two hours away. Not quite long distance, but my schedule is packed, and work takes up your time.”
“Dating or you’re mine?”
My brows furrow. “There’s a difference?”
“I don’t date.” Bobby doesn’t smile or wink. He’s serious.
“That’s right. Casual, no-strings sex, and rules so you and the woman are on the same page. Nothing left to misunderstandings.”
“You. Me. Us. That is it, Ever.”
“Yours. If I’m yours, what would that look like?”
“I’d make you my priority and see you on your terms.”
“You’re giving up a lot when you barely know me.” I rest my chin on my knuckles and watch for signs he’s feeding me a bunch of bullshit.
“You have the most to lose if you don’t keep up with your studies.”
“You have a business, a livelihood that helps you keep twelve cars with twelve purposes,” I counter.
His mouth twitches at the corner. “Thank you, Ever. It means a lot that you care whether I eat and have a roof over my head rather than how deeper my pockets can get.”
