Page 99 of Nails

“Good to know,” Nails said, but then furrowed his eyebrows.“Where do you keep it when you are in the club?”he asked, knowing that her uniform top isn’t made to wear a bra with.

Riley grinned, well, almost laughed.“I use double-sided body tape and stick it under one of my boobs.”

Nails stared at her for a few seconds.He was utterly speechless.“I…wow.That is honestly genius.GPS-enabled cleavage.Remind me never to underestimate the power of boobs, technology, and office supplies again.”Now, any time he heard the word AirTag, he was going to think of Riley’s boobs.

Riley busted out laughing.“GPS-enabled cleavage?”she asked, shaking her head.“I’ll have to remember that one.”

Nails just grinned.

Riley then stopped and pulled aBaltimore Oriolesballcap out of her jacket.Placing it over her head, she threaded her long blonde hair through the back, then twirled her hair with her fingers and wrapped a hair tie around it, creating some sort of bun-looking thing.

Nails just shook his head, realizing how creative women really were.

She then looked up at him and smiled, and damn if it didn’t knock the wind out of him.She was stunning, strong, smart, and all his, as long as he didn’t screw it up.

He reached for her hand, and their fingers interlocked as they started to walk toward the docks.

Riley walked beside Nails, his hand wrapped securely around hers as they made their way toward the sounds of laughter and music coming from the carnival ahead.

She should’ve been smiling and filled with excitement knowing she would be spending time with Nails.But instead, her thoughts spun in slow circles, and confusion coiled tight in her chest.

She wasn’t sure what was going through Nails’ mind.When they woke up this morning, he was sweet and tender.And then she got to experience the brooding and silent side of him.

Do I really need the hassle of a relationship right now?She asked herself.

But when she looked down at their joined hands and felt his thumb rubbing over hers, something inside of her ached at the thought of not being with him.She hated to admit it, even to herself, but she was into him.Like deep.More than she should be for just having met him a few weeks ago.

She kept her expression flat, trying to hide the turmoil she was feeling.

“You’re quiet,” Nails said, as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

She glanced at him.“Just thinking.”

He nodded.“I think we should talk before we go any further tonight.”

Her stomach tightened.Great.Was this the part where he would let her down gently and tell her that last night was a mistake?

Shortest relationship I’ve ever had, and yet still probably the best one.

They stopped just before the carnival’s entrance, and Nails led her toward a shaded area with trees and a few wooden benches.It wasn’t too far from the event, but secluded enough to give them some privacy.

“Let’s sit for a minute,” he said, motioning to one of the benches.

They sat side by side, his hand still holding hers.

She stayed quiet, trying to brace herself for the rejection she was anticipating.

But then he turned toward her, took a deep breath, and exhaled.

“I’m sorry.”

Her head snapped up, and she looked him in the eye.“What?”

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, as he ran a hand over his face.“I acted like an asshole earlier.I didn’t mean to make things awkward.I was scared.”

Riley was floored.

Nails let out another deep breath and continued, his words coming in a rush now, as if he didn’t say them fast enough, he’d lose the nerve.