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So, for my one rule, I protect myself. I have to.

“You only get one date. No more.No matter what.”

He looks at me like I’m joking, but quickly agrees despite the apprehensive expression. “Deal.” He holds out his hand, which I don’t take.

I stand there for a moment drying off and slip my flip-flops on. “Let me get this straight. . . one date, and you’ll take Casey’s photos?” He nods, getting out of the hot tub too. “And then you’ll leave me alone?” He nods again, and I have to add, for the sake of him staring at me and making me nervous, “Because we know damn wellyouandIwon’t work.”

“That sounds about right,” he says, lifting the towel in his hands to wipe the water from his face, but there’s some amusement behind his words, like he’s about ready to make a joke.

I wipe my hand on the towel, because it’s sweaty, and reach for his. “Deal,” I say, finally shaking his hand.

He holds it tighter when I let go. “Oh, and Amalie?”

“Yeah?”

He pulls me closer, our chests touching. “You’re wrong.”

I breathe out, long and exaggerated. “About what?”

“About us not working.” And then he lets go of me and walks ahead, leaving me standing there, unable to argue with him.

I suck because I have feelings for him and I know it. Shitty emotional feelings. And he knows it, too.

Without another word, Tathan walks me to my door and see’s Oliver waiting for me, growling at him. “Why does your dog hate me?”

“He doesn’t like men.”

“But he doesn’t growl at Zane.”

“He’s not trying to get into my panties and Oliver feels he’s of the female species so there’s no challenge from him.” I pick up Oliver so he won’t attack Tathan. “He protects me from men.”

“Protects you from me?”

I watch his face as I reply, every single reaction, but he gives me little to go on, brown eyes searching mine. “Yes,” I answer. “He knowsyou’retrouble.”

“I’mnottrouble.” He blinks. “My brother Kelly, he’s trouble.I’mthe nice guy who’s taking your best friend’s photos for free, in exchange for a date with a girl I can’t stop thinking about.” He smiles as he backs away toward his own door. “Night.”

“Night.” Oh God, that came out like a sigh, didn’t it?

Shit.

I close the door and sink down to sit on the floor, covering my heated face with my hands.

Oliver finds me and jumps on my lap. I hold him up so our faces are inline. “What did I just agree to?”

He wiggles.

I can’t believe I agreed to this for Casey. She owes me big time now.