Page 40 of Making It Up

“But at the same time, you want a taste of being bad with me?”

Whoa. I wasn’t expecting that. My eyes widen. I study David. “You think I’m interested in you because you have a bad boy reputation?”

“I think that might be part of it,” he says. His gaze is intense. “But I get it. I stepped over a lot of lines, pushed a lot of boundaries. The people who took me in and saved me were completely aware of it, because I did it to test them.” He pauses a beat. “Your rebellion is happening later than mine and for a different reason, but it’s still because you had parents who stepped in when they didn’t have to.”

I swallow hard. “Why…” I clear my throat. “What’s my reason?”

One corner of his mouth tips up, and I have the insane urge to press my mouth there.

“You’re doing it now because you’re wondering what you’ve missed being grateful and scared.”

Wow.

Not only is David very straightforward, but he’s pretty damned insightful.

I couldn’t have this conversation with anyone else. There are other people, unfortunately, who’ve had a traumatic childhood and have complicated relationships with their parents, of course. But none that I’m attracted to and want to know better the way I do with David.

“What if that’s right?” I ask him.

“Well, then you need to figure some things out.”

“Some things like what?”

“Well, how do you think that works? We sneak around?” He shrugs. “That could give you a little thrill and let you have some fun, but you’ll stay safe, and Scott won’t have to know.”

I don’t know what to say to that.

David Bennett is saying…

“What are you saying? That you would like to see me? Get to know me?” I pause. “Date me?” Then I frown. “Is it dating if no one knows we’re doing it?”

He gives me that almost-grin again. And I like it. Again.

“I would definitely like to see you. And get to know you. I don’t care what we call it.” He pulls me a little closer. “I just don’t want it to cause problems. I don’t want you to regret it.”

Oh. That makes my stomach flip but in a new way.

That’s sweet.

And kind of sad.

“Scott just wants me to be happy,” I tell him.

He nods. “I’m sure that’s true.”

“So, I can talk to him. Tell him that you and I are…”

David’s smile is a real smile this time. “How about you and I see what you and I are first?”

That makes sense. I guess. Being this close to him and those little smiles and him no longer saying no we absolutely can not do this, realizing that he does actually want this, is making me just want to say yes to whatever.

“Okay,” I finally agree.

“Okay,” he says with a nod. “But?—"

Well, dammit, there’s a but.

“You’re in charge. You want this? You have to figure out ways for us to see each other that won’t bother Scott. Tonight, just dancing in a bar, is no big deal, right? We’re both here. So what?”