Page 34 of Battle of the Exes
“What look?”
“Like I’m luring you into my evil lair.” He grins. “You remember we used to like each other, right?”
I stare straight ahead, already feeling my resolve waver. The tempest outside is shaking loose a thousand memories.
How he’d brush snow off my car.
How he’d kiss the inside of my wrist.
Our plans.
The crash and burn.
Still shivering, I find a towel in Rue’s office. We dry off until it’s soaked. “Rue keeps an electric kettle.Want tea?”
“Sure.”
I come back with two paper cups, tea bags, and a wool blanket I found in the back closet.
Beau raises an eyebrow. “We sharing?”
“Don’t you wish.” I settle into the leather chair by the stacks and wrap the blanket around me.
“Jasper does,” he says suddenly, pacing the room. I can’t tell if it’s nerves or cold.
“You’ve got serious client issues.”
“More likehehas issues with everyone. I’m just trying to look out for you.”
“Very alpha of you,” I say. “But I don’t need protecting.”
I expect a snarky comeback, but Beau stops pacing and comes over. “I’m freezing. Do you mind?” He gestures at the blanket.
Before I can answer, he sits beside me and pulls the edge over his lap. He really is shivering. I let it slide.
A beat of silence.
Then Beau leans in and whispers, “This bookstore. It’s where we had our first date.”
His breath smells minty. Goosebumps rise on my arms. I was just thinking the same thing.
I say, “We were supposed to go to a movie but...”
He grins, that left-side dimple appearing. I’ve just admitted I remember. Again.
I clear my throat. “Can we talk about the festival?”
“I thought you weren’t into it.”
He scoots closer. “You wore that weird red sweater.”
I swallow hard, mentally trying to create any distance I can. But my body betrays me. I don’t move a muscle. “My grandma knitted it. She thought it would bring me good luck on our date.”
Thunder peals again and I jump closer, our bodies now touching.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask for the umpteenth time, edging away like he’s a live grenade.
“Doing what?”