The easy part.
But the farm?
If I fuck it up, like I basically already have by relying on my trust fund instead of making it into an actual business, then it’ll just prove what I’ve always thought.
That I suck at everything and have no redeeming qualities.
But Dylan—he sees through me.
He’s staring at me like I’ll be lettinghimdown if I let myself down.
He has no skin in this game.
But he cares.
And oh God.
His gaze is dropping to my lips. His eyes are going dark. He’s leaning in.
He’s going to kiss me. Again.
I leap up onto the countertop, just like he did, but despite all the time I spend working out, I sway as I stand, and suddenly he’s gripping my ass in one hand and my hand in the other, holding me steady.
“I’m not copping a feel, I swear to God,” he says, his voice rough. “You okay?”
“Just klutzy.”
“Have you eaten today?”
“Of course I’ve eaten, Dylan. It takes good food to fuel a body like mine.” I had half a kale smoothie and tossed Niles’s oatmeal soup in the trash when Gigi wasn’t looking when I got back to the school after having an irrational attack of snarling green jealousy at seeing Dylan sitting with Lola at the café.
And that probably wasn’t enough food.
“How about we go get lunch, and I’ll help you finish this after I’m done for the day?” he says.
His hand is still cupping my butt.
I know he’s not trying to feel me up. I know this is his instinctive reaction to wanting to make sure I don’t fall. It’s not sexual.
It’s safety.
Okay, it’s probably partly sexual too.
He wanted to kiss me.
I could feel it.
I wanted him to kiss me.
I still do.
And I still can’t help wanting him to want to touch me more.
There’s something undeniably irresistible about having a man see right through me, right to my biggest failings and shortcomings, and still be attracted to me.
“I have a chickpea salad in the fridge here,” I make myself say. “I’ll get it after this last cabinet. And my dad’s around. I can get him or Carter or Niles to help me. Not because they’re men, for the record. But more because they’re the only other people in the school.”
“Lola’s here.”
