Page 58 of Shut Up and Drive

He shrugs. “I’m just sayin’, maybe I’ll hide them from you tomorrow, if this is the result.”

My face flushes, and even though I’m barely covered, it’s his words that make me feel exposed. “Rule Number Two, Romeo,” I remind him.

“I’m not flirting,” he says with a charismatic smile. “I’m simply pointing out that this is like the equivalent of whenyour book character wears the guy’s jersey to his game for the first time.”

“I have no idea what you’re referring to,” I lie. Really, I know exactly what he’s talking about, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Sure you do,Bookstack Baker.I follow your little bookstagram account,” he says, stepping closer to me. “It’s her way of declaring that she’s his.”

I scoff. “I can assure you, this was completely circumstantial. It was either your hoodie or my wet towel.”

“Whatever you say, Fina. I’m choosing to read between the lines on this one.”

“If that’s what helps you sleep at night, knock yourself out with your delusion,” I say in my attempt to step past him.

When he moves in front of me, blocking my escape, I groan in frustration.

“Who is the delusional one here? You spend more time with your fictional book boyfriends than with your real one.”

“First of all, he’s not my boyfriend. And second, I happen to like the escape that reading gives me. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“What exactly are you running from?” he asks, leaning against the island.

“I’m not running from anything,Thane,except maybe you.”

That last part is the most honest I’ve been all weekend. Iamrunning from him. Well, not so much him in general, but definitely my disruptive feelings for him. They’re scary andcomplicated, and I’d much rather avoid them than face them head-on and hurt like that again. Besides, things are complicated with Bradley showing up. There’s no way I can allow those dormant Thane-butterflies to have any space in my gut.

“Now why on earth would you need to run from little ol’ me?” he teases.

“Because of exactly this. You don’t have a clue.” In my state of frustration, my tongue runs unbridled,again.

A puzzled look settles on his face. “A clue about what?”

“I can explain it to you a hundred times, but I can’t understand it for you, Thane.”

His eyes dance with amusement and I want to scream. “Are you calling me a dummy, Fina?”

“There’s a difference between being dumb and clueless. You can figure it out. But in order to do so, your two brain cells need to hold hands.”

He laughs. “You talk a big game for someone whose feet don’t touch the floor when she sits down.”

I scowl, and at the same time, I’m biting back a smile so hard my cheeks hurt.

“I thought we called a truce. Our moms don’t want to see us bickering,” he says.

“Our moms are asleep, andyoustarted it!”

“It’s all in fun. I’m just ruffling your feathers.”

I groan. “I don’t want my feathers ruffled! I’m under enough stress with Bradley showing up.”

A serious tone settles between us.

“Are you going to give him another chance?” Thane asks, and his voice falters enough for me to notice.

“I’m not sure what to do about him. I feel like I shouldat least hear his side of the story…Maybe…I’m just really confused. I came on this vacation because I needed abreak,and all I’ve gotten so far is sparring with you for the past few days, and a surprise visit from the ex who may or may not have cheated on me.”

Thane’s gaze falls to the floor. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to cause you more stress. I just… miss this sometimes, you know?”