Page 58 of Rush

---

Then footsteps sound outside and we both step back fast, putting distance between us.

Bozo walks in and looks between us, his expression knowing.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asks.

"No," Rush says.

"Yes," I say at the same time.

Bozo grins. "I'll come back."

"Don't bother. I'm leaving," I say.

I walk past Rush without looking at him. My heart's pounding and my skin feels too hot.

That was close, too close.

And I'm shaken but also exhilarated, because for a second there he almost let himself have it.

Almost let himself kiss me.

And next time, he won't be able to stop himself.

I can feel it.

I spend the rest of the week thinking about that moment in the garage, about the way Rush looked at me like he wanted to devour me.

The old ladies notice I'm distracted.

"You okay?" Gráinne asks over dinner at her place.

"Fine."

"You seem off."

"Just tired."

Chloe leans forward. "This about Rush?"

"Why does everything have to be about Rush?"

"Because you've been different since you met him."

I want to deny it but I can't. She's right.

Rush has gotten under my skin in a way I didn't expect, made me want things I shouldn't want.

"He's complicated," I say finally.

"Most good things are," Ailbhe says.

"He's also driving me insane."

"That's part of the fun."

I laugh despite myself. "You're terrible influences."

"We're realistic," Gráinne says. "Look, Rush is intense and he's got baggage. But he's also a good guy who's clearly into you."

---