I keep my face neutral. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes you do.” He holds my gaze, and I hate that I look away, but his green eyes are so piercing it’s like I can feel the look he’s giving me in the center point of my brain. I feel exposed.
“We were getting along…” At my arched eyebrow, he adds, “Getting alongbetterthan we had been. And then we went out to dinner, and Katherine and the gang showed up.”
“Yeah. She and all the other women of Cashmere Cove seem to flock to you.” I turn and pick up my beer bottle, giving the label detailing the Wisconsin brewed farmhouse ale my undivided attention until I feel a light hand come to rest on my shoulder.
Collin removes his hand before I even have a chance to jerk away. When I look back at him, he’s shaking his head. “Will you give me a chance to apologize?”
I bite my cheek and say, “Fine. Go on.”
“This month has been miserable, and I’ve been wanting to apologize for the way everything went down.” He pauses andconsiders me for a second before he says, “You’re sort of a tough nut.”
I’m so startled I sputter out a laugh. “Wow, thanks.”
He shakes his head. “That came out wrong.” He offers me a sheepish grin. “What I mean is, you don’t make it easy on a guy. I guess I was feeling insecure that night on the drive over to Romeo’s, and I knew I could get some validation from my friends.”
“From Katherine,” I say, because I’m going to make him own it.
“Yeah, I guess so.” He sighs. “But it was petty of me, and I don’t like that I did it, and I really don’t like that I hurt you. So I’m sorry.”
I was not expecting this level of self-awareness, and as much as I hate to admit it, I’m kind of speechless. Because it’s kind of a turn-on.
Wait.
What?
No.
I’m not turned on by Collin.
I tossthatthought out faster than you can sayself-preservation.
Collin is searching my face, scanning my features for a reaction, and suddenly I feel flushed.
I glance down. “It’s fine. Forget about it.” I wince. If he can own up to his actions like he did, the least I can do is throw him a bone. “Thanks for saying something,” I add. “Now, should we bowl?”
“Sure. Okay. Yeah.” Collin’s shoulders relax, and he swings his gaze to the lane and back to me. “Do you need a quick lesson?”
I smirk but hide it with my beer bottle, which I raise to my lips. “I’d rather just get started.”
He nods. “Good. Learn by doing. I like that.”
“Maybe we should up the stakes of our game.” I keep my tone nonchalant.
Collin cocks his head to the side. “What did you have in mind?”
“How about a bet?”
Collin grins. “I’m always down for a bet, and I have the perfect idea.”
I fold my arms. “I’m listening.”
“So I’m supposed to get some pictures for social media tonight.” He glances over his shoulder and then drops his voice. “You know, to sorta keep up appearances. ItisValentine’s Day.”
I cringe, but I nod. “Go on.”
“So how about winner gets to pick the photos we use for the post?”
