Anti-Stepbrother(32)

Diego nodded. “Ah, yes. I can see that. Tell him hello from me. You need to bring him here too.” His eyes fell on me and lit up. “And this beautiful one. Please bring her again.”

Placing the drinks on a table, he wrapped his arms around me, lifting me in the air for a tight squeeze. He set me back on my feet, but his hands rested on my shoulders.

“I’ve enjoyed her. If all your friends from the university are like her, bring more friends.”

A quick scowl formed on Caden’s face. “They’re not.”

That killed the mood. Or it would’ve if Diego hadn’t been Diego.

His smile flickered, but he still beamed at me. “Well, then keep her close, and I insist she comes again.” His eyes lit up and he snapped his fingers. “For the family picnic night. I know Felicia asked you to come.” He shifted, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me to his side. “Now you have a built-in date.”

Caden’s scowl lifted a bit, and he gave a grudging, “Maybe,” before jerking his head toward the fence. “We’re going to go. I paid our tab.”

Diego stiffened. “You didn’t—”

Caden waved him off. “I did. You know I pay my way. Come on, Stoltz. Let’s go.”

I followed behind, feeling attention from everyone on the veranda again. Diego obviously knew a lot of people here, and Caden had told me he cared about the people here, but I was still surprised to see how many called out to him as he passed their tables. More than a few had come over earlier to say hello.

I followed Caden to the fence, feeling all those eyes on my back. A little tingle warmed and spread all through me. I couldn’t hold back a smile, and I didn’t want to. I felt special.

But this wasn’t real. I wasn’t really with Caden. I’d forced my way into his vehicle, and he’d let me come with him. Still, I’d had a taste of what it would be like as his girlfriend, and it had been magical. Whoever he dated, I envied her.

Then he was over the fence. I waited, anticipating. Like last time, he merely reached for me. His hands found my waist, and lifted me up and over—like a girl in any fairy tale.

He placed me in front of him, and I closed my eyes for just a second, and savored the feeling. It wouldn’t last. I didn’t know if it would ever happen again, but I was buzzed enough to admit something to myself.

I wouldn’t have minded being his girlfriend.

“Ready?” He stepped around me, and just like that, the moment was done.

“Mmm-hmmm.” I walked beside him the short distance to the Land Rover, but it wasn’t until we pulled up in front of my dorm that I thought about asking the obvious question.

“Why did you let me go with you tonight?”

His forehead wrinkled, but he didn’t pretend about what I was really asking. He shrugged, relaxing back in his seat with the engine still running. “I thought you were another Matthews groupie.”

My gaze fell to the floor.

“Then I thought you were another one of him—a pain in the ass—but you weren’t.”

I looked back up, but Caden wasn’t looking at me. He peered out the window, almost lost in his own thoughts.

“I don’t know Avery very well, but I know she dated my brother, and I know he wasn’t as much of an ass when he was with her. And that girl seems to like you. I figured out you weren’t much like your stepbrother at Marcus’ party.” A twinge of humor lined his voice. “You made me laugh when you stood next to those girls and stared right at us. Marcus was on edge because Avery was there, and they’d all been pretending he wasn’t there, but then you came out.” He turned to look at me and grinned.

My heart fluttered.

“I liked that you didn’t pretend,” he said. “I’m surrounded by too many people who do.”

I stamped down the fluttering. That was a bad idea. Very bad. I coughed. “So, what you see is what you get with me.”

“I guess so. You’re a little awkward in some social situations, but you’re not fake. You’re honest. And you’re funny.”

I am?

“I like that about you.”

I was warm all over. “Thank you for letting me come.”

I reached for the handle and was about to open the door when he stopped me. “I didn’t let you, Stoltz. You kept me company. That’s different.”

My throat swelled. “Thank you for that, and I’m sorry you didn’t get drunk or have sex tonight.”

He smirked. “The night’s still young.”

“Oh.”

He laughed. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I’m sure. Have a good one.”