"I know. Just friends, I get it."
His jaw ticks as he looks away from me, probably to hide the frustration in his face, but I can hear it in his voice. Only, I don’t know if he’s frustrated with himself, or if he’s frustrated in the words that I attempted to say.
"It’s not my fault." I shrug. "I could feel your giant erection getting bigger by the second. It was hard…to miss. Pun intended." I need to lighten the mood, and hearing him chuckle is like music to my ears.
"You think it’s giant, hey?" he jokes, using his towel to dry his hair one last time before using it to pretend to whip my ass, making me squeal and giggle, using my hands as a shield.
"Jerk." I pretend to scoff.
I’m glad it’s dark out, because my cheeks would be a dead giveaway that he makes me so nervous.
Right now, more than ever.
"Hey, Harley," I say as he starts his car, my hair still dripping wet on his leather seats.
"I’m not saying notoyou. I’m just saying no toright now."
I really hope he understands.
I need him to.
I can barely see his face in the dark, but while I do see his head nod, he remains laser focused on the road and getting me home.
I meant what I said. I’m not ready to be with anyone else, physically or emotionally. I’m not clinging tohopethat Austin and I will get back together, because I meant it when I said he was in my past.
But I am clinging on to thehopethat I can be my own person without being attached to someone else.
But after tonight, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to resist Harley Wingrove.
Does he feel the attraction, too?
Or does he want to be just friends?
fifteen
Harley
Fuck being,just friends.
Sorry, Bea.
sixteen
Cassandra
I’d really enjoyed myselfover the last few days at the Grangewood Carnival. The whole town had come out to support all the local businesses, while eating their body weight in cotton candy, popcorn, and all the fried food you could imagine.
Parents were losing their hard-earned money trying to win stuffed toys for their kids, while those same kids were having the time of their lives.
It’d been a hit for us, too.
The wine and food samples had sold out each night, and the restaurant is fully booked for the next few weeks, according to Harley.
I think it’s safe to say that the carnival has been a success in gaining the attention that we’d hoped for.
He’d been gone for the last few days, traveling with his business partner, Robbie, while the two of them looked at new potential business opportunities. Which meant he hadn’t had the chance to see and enjoy the carnival yet.
He’ll be here soon, though.
