Page 23 of Trophy

The idea was so upsetting that Allison pushed it from her mind.

No matter what Chelle had said, she and Rob both knew that they were just together for right now.

She’d been absolutely open and honest about that.

Rob was a smart guy who always had things together.

He wasn’t going to do something stupid like fall in love with her, when she’d told him over and over again that they had to take things slow.

She’d been standing too long, staring at him, and he finally noticed her presence. His expression transformed into surprised pleasure, and he gave her a little wave.

She smiled and waved back, but she ducked over to the lightbulbs when the other guys turned to see who’d distracted Rob.

After a minute of staring at bulb boxes, Rob came around to join her.

“Hi, there,” he murmured softly, leaning over to grab a box that had the bulb she needed. He must have noticed the light was out when he was at her place last night.

“Hi.” She felt strangely embarrassed, so she just stared down at the box. “I needed this.”

“I know you did. Why else would you come into my store?”

“Not to see you.”

“Of course not. Nothing much to see here.”

“I think there is.”

She could feel him smiling, although she still wasn’t looking at him. “That’s good to know.”

It was a silly conversation, especially since they weren’t even looking at each other.

But it felt special to Allison, and it made her pulse jump in excitement.

Despite her reflections just a few minutes earlier, she couldn’t bring herself to suggest they get a little distance from each other to ensure that things didn’t get complicated.

She didn’t want distance from Rob.

She just didn’t.

“I know that’s a very good lightbulb, and you’ll be happy with it. But I have something else you might want to see in the supply room.”

This surprised her enough to look up at his face. He looked adorable—a suppressed smile twitching at the corners of his lips. “What did you want to show me?”

“It’s hard to explain. Come and see.”

She followed him without further questions. The truth was she’d probably follow him anywhere.

He led her to a cluttered room filled with all kinds of boxes and boards and shelves. He walked to the back wall and then turned down a narrow aisle that was piled floor to ceiling with boxes.

“What—” Allison began, but Rob turned her so her back was against the wall and then pressed his body into hers in a passionate kiss.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to the kiss immediately, instinctively. They were in this far, hidden corner, and no one was around, but it still felt a little risky, a little dangerous. Her heart throbbed with excitement.

“Rob, what are you doing?” she mumbled, when she was finally able to break the kiss. Rob was nuzzling her neck, one of his hands sliding down to cup her bottom.

“What did you expect me to do, when you show up at my place of work looking so irresistible?”

“I’m not irresistible. I’m still wearing my Dora’s shirt.”

“I love you in that shirt. I love you in anything.” He gave her an almost predatory smile as he raised his head and stared at her hotly. “Or in nothing.”

She gave him a little hug, overwhelmed with affection and appreciation but still a little nervous about their location. “It’s good to see you too, but don’t get any ideas about going any further right here. Someone might come in.”

Rob gave an exaggerated sigh and straightened up. He didn’t look disappointed, so he must not have genuinely thought they were going to do anything other than kiss. “How was your day?”

“It was fine. Busy but not impossibly so. What about you?”

“My day got a lot better when you walked into the store.”

She laughed and reached up to stroke his face. “Seriously, anything going on?”

“Not really.” His expression changed slightly. “Actually, I was wondering if you’re free on Saturday night.”

Her eyebrows shot up, and her heart jumped.

It wasn’t with apprehension, though. Irrationally, she wanted him to ask her out—despite all the reasons she knew they shouldn’t.

No matter how logical she tried to be, she wanted to be closer to him and even wanted other people to know.

She really hoped that didn’t make her as soft and clingy as Arthur had always thought.

“Not a date,” he said quickly, evidently misreading her surprise. “There’s this thing at the high school with the athletes and cheerleaders. Everybody goes.”

“In the middle of the summer?”

“Yeah. They do it every year—a kind of rally to build momentum and raise some money for the school year. I’ll be going with some friends and thought you might enjoy going too. Cali is on the cheerleading squad. Did you know that? She’d really appreciate it if you can go.”

Allison knew she shouldn’t go. No matter what Rob said, if she went with him, people would assume they were dating. People would talk. Then there would be pressure, expectations. Things would get a lot more complicated.

But he looked so hopeful, like he really wanted her to go with him, and she couldn’t bring herself to kill that light in his eyes. She didn’t even want to. She wanted to go out in public with him, and she told herself there was no good reason not to.

People dated all the time without having a future, without getting married. She’d be making no promises to Rob or anyone else.

It was just a not-quite date.

“I guess that would be okay,” she murmured, feeling a little embarrassed for no good reason.

She dropped her eyes, so she didn’t see his expression, but she felt him brushing her lips with his very gently. “I’m not pressuring you,” he said.

“I know. I appreciate it. I don’t feel pressure. I think I’d like to go.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

He didn’t sound inordinately happy about her acceptance, just generally pleased. Things were fine. She was blowing things out of proportion—as she always did. People dated all the time without it meaning anything permanent. Chelle was wrong. Allison didn’t have to feel guilty.

She could enjoy Rob for a little while longer.