I frown. "Why would it? Phe's an adult. She doesn't get to dictate who I see or what I do with my personal life. My friendship with her and whatever might happen between you and me are two separate things."
He shakes his head. "They're not separate, Harper. Not when I'm involved. If things go south between us, it puts you in an impossible position. You'd have to choose between your best friend and the guy who hurt you. Or worse, you'd lose her because she'd feel like she has to pick a side. I won't do that to either of you."
I rub at my temple. "I’m really not understanding what you’re implying."
His forehead crinkles. He seems to think things through, then sets his jaw as if coming to a decision. "I’m not the relationship kind."
"Okay?" I lower my chin. "I’m twenty-one. I’m not looking for a relationship, either."
"You’re looking for something temporary?" The fine wrinkles around his eyes deepen. He doesn’t seem happy at the prospect. How strange. I thought he’d find it freeing.
"I’m not looking to marry the first man I sleep with, if that’s that you’re thinking."
No sooner are the words out than I squeeze my eyes shut.Damn. Damn. Damn. Did I have to blurt that out?Color flushes my cheeks. "Can we forget that I said that?" My voice comes out strangled.
When I open my eyes, he’s looking at me with shock and something else—desire?—in his eyes.
"Oh my god, you like the fact that I haven’t slept with anyone?" I whisper.
Also, it’s surreal that we’re having this conversation so soon after we met. But hey, since it’s out in the open, may as well own it.
He rubs the back of his neck, then looks around as if wishing he were elsewhere. "It has a certain appeal," he finally admits. "But also, it’s all the more reason that I’m not going to explore whatever this is between us."
I brace my hands on the table, irritation biting at my chest.
I’m pissed off at myself for being so gauche as to let that slip. But also, I can’t believe how quickly he dismissed the connection he feels for me.
"You could go through your entire life and not feel whatever it is that’s here between us." I wave my hand in the air.
He considers what I said, then nods. "Perhaps."
"And that doesn’t upset you?"
He thinks through my words again. "It does. But my relationship with my sister is just as important."
I throw up my hands. "You’re complicating things for no reason."
The skin around his mouth softens. "When you live a little more of life, you’ll realize that everything is connected."
"You mean the butterfly effect? I know about that."
"Do you?" He lips twitch.
The humor in his eyes rubs me up the wrong way. "You’re not taking me seriously," I snap.
"On the contrary"—his gaze, once more, grows serous—"I find you fascinating. And smart. And gorgeous. And yes, a tad young for me."
His lips twist.
"But your freshness is part of your appeal."
The color of his eyes deepens to midnight. There's no mistaking the intensity of his words. My stomach flips like the contents of a pan which have been set to boil too fast. An electric sensation sizzles across my chest. Being the focus of his attention is like standing too close to an open flame. It’s unsettling, dangerous, but impossible to step away from. My breath catches.
"Was that a confession that you find me attractive?" I strive for a lighter tone of voice, but don’t quite pull it off.
One side of his lips quirks. "You want me to confirm to you that I also feel this chemistry between us?"
I nod. "It’s good to know that whatever I’m feeling is not all one-sided."
