Good Girl Gone Plaid(28)
“I realize that. What I’m saying is if you do see him around, give him a wide berth. Stay away. And let me know immediately.”
She swallowed visibly, wariness flickering in her eyes now. “What kind of guys do you run with? And why are you dragging me into their circle?”
“I never intended to drag you in.” Whether he’d intended to or not, he had. And he was kicking himself over the realization. “Your paths crossed, unfortunately, and it’s not something I can undo. I just wanted you to be warned.”
“Your friends sound awesome. Just awesome.”
He’d have to be dead to miss her sarcasm.
Ignoring her words, and denying how much they stung, he dug in his pocket for the card he’d stuffed there earlier.
“Here’s the info for the garage. I put my personal cell number on the back if you need anything.”
“I won’t.” But she took it anyway.
“Careful. Because you might.” He went to the front door and paused. “Thanks for the wine, doll. And sorry about the kiss.”
She rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. “You’re not sorry.”
His lips twitched. “No, I can’t say that I am. And neither are you.”
Sarah watched him go. Her heart was pounding a little too fast and there were butterflies in her stomach. They were the same damn symptoms she’d had all those years ago. Symptoms that warned she could fall for him all over again if she wasn’t careful.
And she had to be careful. She had to be very, very careful.
She refused to end up in the same boat she’d been in eleven years ago…
“We’re moving to Japan.” The words she’d been dreading were out. Fleeing her mouth on a wave of emotion and tears that she couldn’t let fall. “My dad got his orders and he’s getting stationed there.”
Ian stared at her. Absolute shock registering on his face. “No. You can’t go.”
Misery welled in her and she shrugged. “I don’t want to, but I don’t think I have a choice. I’m not eighteen yet.”
“You will be in a year.”
“Yeah. A year.” Tears did flood her eyes now.
“Can’t you stay here? If we talk to my parents, I’m sure they’d take you in. They love you.” Ian’s voice grew more animated with the idea. “You and Kenzie can share a room—”
“You don’t understand. My dad hates you. He’s thrilled that this move will break us up. He says I need a year, at least, to make sure you’re really what I want out of life.”
Ian pulled her into his arms, his voice low as he asked, “And you think I am?”
“I know you are,” she whispered. “I’m not going to lie. I want to go to college after graduation and get a degree, but I love you. I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone like I love you. We can take it slow, but there’s no one else I want.”
“Then we’ll make it work, doll.” He kissed her forehead again, then the tip of her nose, and finally her mouth. “Trust me. I’ll go talk to your dad tonight.”
She gave a soft harrumph, only half-kidding as she advised, “You might want to wear a bulletproof vest.”
Ian laughed, though, and tightened his arms around her. “We’ll just be real with him. He’s got to know how we feel about each other.”
“He knows. I just don’t think he cares.” She sighed. “What time does your party start tonight?”
“Eight. Are you sure you don’t want to come?”
“I don’t drink.” She wrinkled her nose. “Besides. This is for the graduating seniors—I’d feel like a dork crashing it.”
“You’re my girlfriend. No one’s going to question you being there with me.”
No one would question it because she’d be on Ian McLaughlin’s arm. His reputation still ensured that people weren’t stupid enough to start something with him. Ian was right. Her presence might be bitched about quietly, but wouldn’t dare be voiced aloud.
“Besides, Hailey and Steve are going,” she added. “She’ll keep an eye on you.”
Ian and Sarah had often gone on double dates with the other couple. Hailey was another cheerleader and close friend on the cheerleading squad.
“What, you don’t trust me?” he teased.
“You know I do,” she said softly. “I just get nervous with a lot of intoxicated teenagers.”
“You sound like a little mother.” He kissed her again. “I promise I won’t have more than a few beers.”
“You’d better not, because that’s an MIP. if you get caught.”