Especially at the halfway mark when everyone was allowed to get up to greet their neighbors, and he turned to look right at me. I probably should go up to him to apologize for running away yesterday and just fucking explain who I was. I still couldn’t believe that I hadn’t just told him.
How hard was it to say I dated your brother?
Apparently, really difficult. Really, really difficult. Especially with his tongue down my throat.
I’d known what Heidi was doing by only giving him my nickname, Em. Emery was not common at all, and the light bulb would have registered immediately. Still, I hadn’t corrected her, and I hadn’t told him why I’d run away. Because I hadn’t wanted to walk away. Maybe a part of me was still thinking about that unattainable, hot college guy that Heidi and I had dreamed about in high school.
Now, he was an even hotter billionaire CEO who was looking a whole hell of a lot more attainable.
If only I hadn’t dated his brother.
My mother, of all people, saved me from humiliating myself in front of Jensen. She latched on to my arm and dragged me over to Betty, a woman I used to work for at the Buddy Holly Center when I was in high school. They had an opening after their latest hire quit, and she was more than excited to have me back on staff.
So, at least something positive came out of the whole church experience.
When the service ended, my mother milled around, chatting with all her friends. I knew that we wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while unless I hitched a ride with Noah. And, by the look on Kimber’s face, she was already getting ready to tell me off for considering it.
I stood and stretched, all the while wondering whether or not I should wait for everyone outside…or if I should say something to Jensen.
Before I could decide on what to do, Jensen left his family behind in the front row and then walked casually over to where I was leaning against the edge of the pew.
“Hey. Surprised to find you here,” he said with that same charming smile.
God, did he have another smile? Oh my God, I had made out with those lips.
“Hey. Yeah,” I said back, glancing away.
Smooth.
Let’s just take awkward to a whole new level.
“I didn’t realize your family went to church here,” he said.
His eyes wandered past me to Kimber, Noah, and Lilyanne and then traveled to my mother.
“Yeah. My mom has been going here since…forever.”
“Right. I didn’t put two and two together.” He smiled. “Well, I really came over to apologize about last night.”
My eyebrow quirked, and I shot him a dubious look. “What exactly are you apologizing for?”
Last I checked, that kiss was the hottest thing I’d ever experienced, and he had no need to apologize.
“Everything apparently,” he said. “I realized that my advances must have been…unwanted. I think I might have pushed you and made you feel…uncomfortable, which was not my intention.”
Ha! Uncomfortable was not the right word. I’d felt like my body had a different brain. One that was screaming yes when I knew no was the right answer.
“You didn’t push your luck. It’s fine,” I said with a wave of my hand.
What I wanted to say was, Kiss me again. God, please, kiss me again. I won’t run this time.
And the look in his eye said he knew.
“I assume you’ve figured out who I am.”
“Emery Robinson,” he drawled. “Yes, I know who you are.”
“And see, now, you’re not interested,” I said before tacking on a shaky laugh.
“Oh,” he said, his eyes intense and commanding, “but I am.”
My mouth popped open into a tiny little O of surprise. Jensen knew I’d dated Landon, and he was still interested in me? No way. He must be mistaken.
His eyes dropped to my mouth, and he swallowed. We both seemed to be having the same damning thoughts.
He took a step toward me, entering my personal space, and leaned in near my ear. “Perhaps we should take this conversation outside. I try to avoid impure thoughts in church.”
A small gasp escaped my lips, and then I covered my mouth with my hand. My eyes slid from his to survey the church as I was slammed back into reality.
Jensen Wright was having dirty thoughts about me in church.
Oh, hell yes!
“Okay,” I found myself saying.
He even seemed surprised that I had agreed. Last night, I’d dashed away from him and into oblivion. Found Heidi and disappeared entirely. Now, I was saying yes to talking to him again.
“Okay then.”
“Hey, Kimber,” I said, turning to face my sister.
Her eyes were as wide as plates when she looked at me.
“I’m…I’m just going to go outside, all right?”