We exchange defiant stares.
He breaks first. “One was sent. I promise.”
“Do you have evidence?”
“I deleted your number.”
“Harsh.”
“I didn’t want to be tempted to make an even bigger fool of myself if I had too much to drink and called you or texted you.”
I shake my head, flummoxed. “If I’d received a text, I would’ve answered it.”
His hands go into his pockets as he absorbs my claim. He nods once, accepting it, and says, “Tell me how clean shoe guy was my fault.”
The news that Klein tried to reach out to me after our kiss is still sinking in, but I manage to arrange my thoughts enough to say, “Objectively, I understand nobody forced me to date Shane. Or take him to Raleigh and let him meet my family. Which eventually led him to liking it enough to move there for a job after we broke up, and then run into my sister and fall in love with her.” I picture Sienna’s stunning cheekbones, her rosy lips andtypical pleasant demeanor. “I even understand why he fell in love with her. Who wouldn’t? She’s beautiful and sweet?—”
“And a few lychee martinis turn her into a fan of male strippers.”
“She let loose last weekend. You’ll see once we get to the island, she’s really different than how she was when you met her.”
“She’s marrying your ex-boyfriend, and here you are defending her.”
I bristle. “So?”
He rubs his hand over the back of his neck. “Forget I said anything. Family is complicated, right?”
I finger the hem of my dress. “Sure is.”
There’s a different sound right then, like a thump of air, and an owl settles in a nearby tree. Yellow eyes stare at us. “Creepy.”
“It’s a sign I should quit while I’m ahead.” Klein steps aside, allowing me space to exit the vehicle.
I gather my purse and step out. “I had my Klein lesson tonight. When are you going to start your Paisley lessons?”
Klein leans back, letting the car catch him. “Do you still separate your M&Ms by color before you eat them?” A cocksure smile appears on his face.
I blink hard, grappling with how him remembering details about me makes me feel. “Yes...”
He dips his chin at me, like he’s sayingthere you go. “I guess I already know one of your quirks.” Pushing off the car, he motions at my house. “I’ll walk you to your door.”
I point at my door, only thirty feet away. “That door right there?”
He sighs at my passive argument.
“Fine,” I murmur, throwing up my hands as I deny the flutter of pleasure rippling through me. Might I have a thing for chivalry?
I pivot, and Klein matches me step for step. Halfway to my door, I feel a press against my lower back. A guiding palm I don’t need, but…Oh. I want it. I like it.
Miracle of miracles, I make it to my front door without melting. Unlocking the door, I push it open an inch and turn back to Klein.
He drops his hand from my back, putting a bit of space between us. His tall frame blocks the porch light, casting an ethereal glow around him. Does he know how handsome he is? He must. How could he not?
Clearing my throat, I force thoughts of his heavily-fringed green eyes from my mind. “Thank you for walking me up,” I say, prim and proper. “It was very gentlemanly of you.”
One corner of Klein’s mouth quirks, like my forehead is transparent and he can read my thoughts like a book. “Get used to me being a gentleman, Paisley.”
“Let me guess. That’s how your mother raised you to behave?”
