I pull back, open the door for her and make a sweeping bow. “After you, my lady.”
Riley grins.
I jog around the hood and reach for the driver’s side door when a sudden, striking pain slices through my leg. I drop the handle of the door and fold over, my pulse jumping.
The pain disappears, but a tiny whirlwind of unease forms in my stomach. I stare at my leg, still feeling the dull thud even though the pain has receded.
“Are you okay?” Riley asks when I finally enter the car. “You’re sweating a little.”
I crack a joke, something about how hot she is. But my mind is occupied with that striking pain.
It must be because I went hard on the ice tonight.
Yeah, I’m sure my leg is fine.
I’m sure I have nothing to worry about.
Chapter Forty-Eight
RILEY
Something about Nat feels off as we drive, but I can’t put my finger on it. He’s staring straight ahead, a serious expression on his handsome face.
I keep stealing glances at him, trying to figure out what shifted after he helped me into the car.
The tension is… unfamiliar.
I’ve known Nat as a jokester.
As the life of the party.
As the playful next-door neighbor.
Now that we’re dating, I’ve come to know Nat’s passionate kisses, his possessive touch, and the soft, ‘I’m so into you’ smile.
But I’ve never seen this pensive side of him.
Maybe I’m overthinking.
Nat is an extrovert, but even he has a limit on the amount of stimulus and excitement he can take. It’s been an extremely eventful day. I decide to leave him to his thoughts as I check my messages.
There are two notifications.
The first is a text from my brother.
Chris: Make sure you’re home by curfew.
I snort. I haven’t had a curfew since I graduated AMT school.
There’s a part of me that wants to stay up all night just to stick it to Chris, but the moment I conceive the thought, my jaw cracks in a yawn.
Nat swings around instantly. “Uh-oh. It’s not time for that yet, Riles.”
“I’m fine.” I blink rapidly as another yawn attacks me. “I just need some coffee.”
“We’ll have to keep driving before we find anywhere that’s open.”
“That’s one thing I miss about the city. There are 24-7 marts and chain restaurants open until midnight.” I wipe away the tear that formed from my excessive yawning. “It’s okay. I’ll try my best to stay awake.”
