“I don’t think slow is a bad thing, as long as you’re upfront about it.”
“Welp, that makes you different than most.”
“You didnotjust hit me with ‘You’re different than most girls,’ did you Trev?What a line…” I tease, bumping him with my elbow. He laughs, and I reach for more chocolate. When I sit up, a stray curl rests on my forehead.
“It’s not a line if it’s true,” he says, tucking the curl behind my ear. His thumb trails to my chin, and my breath stutters as desire simmers in his eyes. I’m sure he’s about to kiss me.I think I want him to.
He tips my head up with his finger under my chin, leans in, and whispers, “I really want to kiss you, but New Year’s feels a little cliché.” His thumb brushes my bottom lip, eyes flicking to my mouth. He breathes out a shuddered breath while shaking his head. “So I’m going to be a gentleman and wait. And then I’ll kick myself in the morning when I replay tonight in my head.”
I snort and immediately cover my mouth. His joking smile gives me permission to let my giggles take over.My friends were right about him. Trevor’s warmth and openness have sucked me right in, and he seems to be into me too. He isn’t rushing this; I like that. His penchant for going slow could be good for me. I’ve tried jumping in quickly, which is probably why I’ve missed all the red flags in the past. Slow and steady might be exactly what I need right now.Thank you, Kayla.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
HUNTER
If I clench my jaw any tighter, I’ll crack a few molars. As I sit here against Ashlie’s front door like the lovesick dummy from the lodge, wearing the same clothes I had on at the club, it’s undeniable that I’m jealous. This is torture, waiting for her to come home from an overnight date with some guy. No. Notsomeguy.Trevor, thegoddamngentleman. My imagination runs wild as I battle the images in my head of what an overnight date likely entails.
I’ve never been the type to worry over what some other guy has. It always seemed like a waste of energy when I could blink and find someone new. I wasn’t ever jealous of the other guys Ashlie’s been with. They were idiots, and watching them touch her was aggravating, but game recognizes game. I could spot the end of her relationships before they even began. This Trevor thing is different. He’s persistent and focused. Doesn’t play games. I can acknowledge that threat for what it is: a real one.
And Ashlie’s still not answering her phone. I’ve been sitting out here since 5:30 a.m., after waiting in my car since two, trying to get ahold of her. She took off without a second thought about me. I know I’m acting irrationally right now, but I’m going insane about all of this and don’t know what else to do.
The sun crests over the horizon, and I check my phone for what feels like the thousandth time. It’s seven in the fucking morning, and the only thing keeping me from shivering in the coolness of the dawn is this obnoxious, nagging envy coursing through me. It should be me having overnight dates with Ash, not some Boy Scout fuckstick.
I squeeze my fists tightly over my eyes, trying to scrub out the images of them pressed tightly together on the dance floor last night. No matter where I was in the club, I was hyperaware of their proximity to me and their closeness to each other. I sulked all night, knowing I wasn’t who she dressed up for.
“Hunter?” Ashlie’s voice snaps me to attention, the soft breeze tousling her curls.Holy shit.She’s a goddamn vision, just as amazing as last night. My entire purpose for sitting out here all morning becomes as clear as the sky above. “What are you doing here?”
“You weren’t answering your phone.”
“It died. I left my extra charger in your car… Have you been out here all night?”
“You weren’t answering your door either,” I say stupidly. It’s got to be the sleep deprivation, or the jealousy, because I’m not even making sense to myself.
“Because I wasn’t home… Hunter, it’s freezing.” She nudges me out of the way to unlock the door, then ushers me inside her apartment. “What are you doing here?” Her back is turned to me as she plugs in her phone.
“Did you sleep with him?” I ask, steeling myself for an answer I’m going to hate.Why beat around the bush? Direct will get me the information I need before I confess everything to her.
“Excuse me?” Ashlie whips around, eyes narrowed as she slams a hand on her hip. “How is that any of your business? Is that why you’re here?”
“You disappeared last night. I was worried about you. What happened to ‘leave the way you came’?”
“That applies to leaving with strangers. You knew I was with Trevor. I texted you before I left.”
“Naw, not me.” I jam my hands in my pockets.
“Yes,you. I sent a group text to you and Willa.”
I shake my head, and she smugly checks her phone, eyes widening as she scrolls. “I thought I sent… Hunter, I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t leave without telling you.”
“Okay.” I slide my eyes to the floor and kick the shaggy white rug, watching the corner curl and fall with each tap.
“Hey,” she says quietly. “I wouldn’t just leave. I know that’s a thing for you.”
“Okay.”
Ashlie walks toward me and wraps soft fingers over my forearm. “To answer your question, no. Trevor was a perfect gentleman. We watched a movie and fell asleep. Didn’t even kiss.”
“Okay.” I nod quickly, unable to meet her gaze. Being a “perfect gentleman” makes this infinitely worse. Those are the guys who land a woman like Ashlie with no effort. Perfect gentlemen are on the opposite end of the spectrum from me.
