Rules of a Rebel and a Shy Girl(67)

He shrugs, his jaw set tight. “Because that’s how it kind of looked with how close you two were standing to each other. And you had this look on your face like you were relaxed.”

Try more like relieved Everette wasn’t going to tell anyone my secret.

Still, I don’t want Beck thinking I’m dating anyone, especially after I made such a big deal about the kiss and us never hooking up again.

“I promise you, I’m not seeing anyone, including Everette,” I tell him, and the tension in his body loosens. “You should know that, considering … well, everything.” My gaze magnetizes to his lips again as images of our kisses soar through my thoughts. My skin warms like gooey melted chocolate, chocolate I want to eat … taste … and … I blink.

Oh, my God, what the hell is wrong with me? I’ve lost all of my self-control.

Panicking over my out of control thoughts, I hastily change the subject. “So, what have you been up to for the last week? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.” Exactly seven days ago, since I gave you the list. But who’s counting?

“Yeah, I know. I wanted to hang out, but I’ve been busy.”

“With school?”

His shoulders slump. “And work.”

“Since when are you busy with work? I thought that was kind of the point of having your own business and doing what you do: you make your own hours.”

“Not with that job.” He sounds irritated, although I don’t think it’s toward me.

I stuff the textbook I’m holding into my bag. “You have another job? Since when? Oh, was that why you were up early when I called you yesterday?”

He nods then motions for me to follow him. “Come on. I’ll explain while we walk.” He starts to walk down the hallway then pauses. “We are still hanging out, right?”

I nod. “Of course. I was just getting ready to text you when I ran into Everette.”

His lip curls in annoyance at the mention of Everette, but when he notices me watching him, he forces a fake smile. “Want to go to the café on the corner? There’s actually something I really need to talk to you about besides my current job position, and that place is pretty quiet.”

“Sounds good to me.” I smile, growing uneasy as I think of all the things he could want to talk to me about. “It’s not bad, is it?”

He glances at me distractedly. “What?”

“What you want to talk to me about.”

“No, not at all. At least, I don’t think so.”

“Can you give me just a hint, so I don’t worry?” I ask as we push out the doors and step into the warmth of the sunlight.

“Now what would be the fun in that?” He chuckles at the look on my face then slings his arm around my shoulder.

I tense for a microsecond and consider pulling away. Then that safe feeling takes over, and I lean into him.

God, I needed this more than I even realized.

Need? The word sends panic and shock through my body.

Need.

Need.

Need.

The start of my mom’s downfall.

I start to lean away.

“Relax.” His lips pull into an adorable lopsided smile that convinces me to stay put. “The café is only about two minutes away.”

“Two whole minutes,” I joke. “I think you’re overestimating my patience.”

“You’re usually pretty patient.”

“Not when you tell me you need to talk to me about something.”

“It’s just an idea I had,” he explains as we hike across the lawn underneath the shade of the trees.

“About what?”

“About me helping you with moving out of that apartment.”

I slow to a stop. “Beck, I really appreciate your help, but—”

He places a finger over my lips. “No protesting until you’ve heard me out, okay? Just give me that.”

Well, crap. How can I say no to that, especially while he’s batting those baby blues at me?

I nod reluctantly. “Okay, I’ll hear you out.” My lips move against his finger, and his gaze flits to my mouth, his tongue slipping out to wet his lips. “But only because you’re my best friend.” I aim for a light tone, but I sound cringingly breathless.

Desire flames in his expression and my heart stammers from the look. Thank God he rips his attention off my mouth before I end up collapsing on the ground.

“That’s the only reason, huh?” he teases. “So, what does that mean? That you never hear anyone else out?”

“Not usually,” I joke in an off-pitch voice that makes me cringe. “I guess you should consider yourself very lucky.”

We start walking again, stepping onto the sidewalk and heading for the corner.