“I didn’t mean to spring this on you, and I don’t expect an answer right away.” She tucks a wild strand of hair behind her ear. “In fact, I’d prefer you take some time to think it over, because what we’re doing? It’s a relationship, even if you’re afraid to call it one.”
“I’m not afraid of a label.”
She arches a brow, clearly skeptical. I can’t blame her. The words sound defensive to my own ears, so I can only imagine how they sound to hers.
“I get it,” she says quietly. “After yesterday, I understand better than ever why you have trouble with commitment, but you aren’t your father, Cooper. You’d never hurt me.”
Not intentionally, but intentions don’t matter when it comes to hurting the people you care about.
I care about Quinn.
The realization pulls me up short. I don’t know how it happened or even when it happened, but sometime over the last two months, she’s become important to me.
My hands tremble and I shove them into my hair, willing them to steady.
If I don’t do this, if I don’t at least try, I’ll lose her.
No more hookups. No more cuddling. No more impromptu coffee dates at Daily Grind.
Eventually, she’ll meet someone else. Someone safe. Someone who isn’t fucked in the head and doesn’t have daddy issues. Someone who can give her everything she needs, maybe even love.
Just the thought of another guy touching Quinn has my gut clenching.
I can’t lose her.
What about the rules?
The virgin rule is already out the window. So that just leaves rule number two.
Which also went out the window the second I touched her. Noah just doesn’t know it yet.
If I had my way, he never would.
Dammit. Why is this so complicated?
The rules exist for a reason. But we’ve already broken them and my life hasn’t gone into a death spiral. Quinn and I are getting along great and I’m playing the best ball of my life. Could it really hurt to try?
If things go sideways, we can always call it quits.
Way to be an optimist, asshole.
Okay. That’s probably not the best outlook on dating, but I’m new to all this.
Quinn stares up at me, hope and uncertainty warring in those Coke bottle eyes and something in my chest cracks.
I put that look there. That uncertainty. It’s the same look she gets when she talks about being a trainwreck or when Noah calls her those stupid nicknames.
A hot ball of fury throbs in my gut.
I will not be one of the people who make her doubt herself. Who makes her feel like she doesn’t deserve the things she wants most out of life.
“I don’t need more time,” I say, praying this is the right move.
Her brows knit together in confusion. “You don’t?”
“I’ve never dated.” I close my eyes and inhale a steadying breath.Please don’t let me screw this up.“I don’t know if I can give you what you want, but I’m willing to try.”
The smile that breaks over her face is radiant and I can’t believe I ever hesitated. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see her look at me that way just one more time.
