I grit my teeth in a nervous grin. “Eh, Chase gave me the idea.”
Skepticism pinches her face. “He told you to bet me for a date?”
“Naw, not that part.” The opposite, really. This bet is nowhere near uncomplicated. I doubt he’d agree with it, but it got me here with her. “He’s a pro at romantic shit. I needed some pointers. But I can be vague about it from now on if that helps you feel better… I’ll just tell him it didn’t work out.”
That thumbnail slips between her teeth as she turns away and settles against me. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Always.”
“You said you’re okay with me dating other people…”
“If you want to.”
“But why?”
I take a minute to gather my thoughts so she doesn’t mistake my words for anything other than what I mean. “You don’t answer to anyone but yourself, and I think you forget sometimes. Do whatever feels right for you. If that means seeing multiple guys, then you should. Just…please, let me be one of them.”Fuck, I sound needy. “I know I need to show how serious I am, so I’m putting all my focus on you. I want you to focus on you too, whatever that looks like.”
“So, no other girls?”
“Just you, honey bear.”
“What about Ava?” She whips around, cocking her head to the side with a scrunch to her lips.
“Ava? She’s long gone…” I say. Ashlie’s eyes narrow like she doesn’t believe me, and I shrug, hoping she will. Ava’s not anywhere close to being on my radar. I don’t even know the last time I talked to her. A message might scroll across my screen occasionally, but I dismiss it as soon as it does. Responding would only encourage her.Fuck that shit.
“And if I keep going on dates with Trevor specifically, you’re fine with that?”
“If that’s what you want, that’s what you should do.”
“But what doyouwant?”
Her inner people-pleaser is trying to work overtime against our new situation. I stroke her cheek and grin as I stare into her eyes. “Ashlie, I wantyou,and I don’t mean in a sexual way; that’s off the table for now. I want to do exactly what we did tonight—dinners and movies, kissing and cuddling, laughing and whatever else we come up with. As long as you’re there, I want to be next to you.”
“And you won’t get mad?”
“Mad? Naw. I’ll be jealous as hell that he gets to spend time with you, but not mad. I can handle some competition, and after you get home from your little dates with Trevor, I’ll enjoy making you forget all about him.”
“Make me forget, huh?” Her eyebrows shoot to her hairline, and there’s a playful glint in her eyes. “How so?”
“That’s for me to know”—I leave a peck on her nose—“and for you to find out.” Her face flushes, and I bite the smirk creeping across my lips.
Today has been an absolute whirlwind, but knowing I’m responsible for the redness spreading across her cheeks more than makes up for it. This silly-ass bet is my one chance to show how far I’m willing to go for a chance with her. Today feels like a good start.
Timidly, we walk hand in hand to her car. My stomach sloshes around as if this is the first date I’ve ever been on. Like I’ve never given a goodnight kiss before. Itisthe first to really mean something. Ashlie rolls her lips like she doesn’t know what comes next either. We make it to her little red car and stand in an unusual, awkward silence.
I shouldn’t be this nervous, but my heart is hammering like I’m sprinting on the track. “Can I call you tomorrow?”
She eyes me suspiciously. “Since when do we call each other?”
“Since now”—I tug her closer until she’s pressed against me—“if you’ll let me.”
“What would we even talk about, Hunt?” she asks, tipping her head back to look at me.
I stroke her cheek with my knuckles. “Anything? Everything? I don’t know. I just want to hear your voice.”
“Oh…” Her cheeks flame again, her eyes dropping to the ground. “You’re really giving this all you got, huh?”
I squint an eye and flash a nervous grin. “I’m trying… Is it working?”
