Page 35 of Blame it on the Kiss
Honor bristled at his choice of words. She could damn well take care of herself. “No one is taking advantage of me. I’m a big girl.”
“I know something happened at Dad’s company party and you won’t talk about it, but ever since then you’ve been totally closed off. This dude does not deserve whatever you want to give him.” Coop slanted his head so he spoke into her ear. “I saw him leave the Harpoon with a girl two nights ago, H, don’t add to his scorecard.”
Her brother didn’t get it. Aiden was the perfect one night stand. She needed a guy she didn’t feel anything for so she could cross the deed off Payton’s list without worry of getting attached.
But the thought of him with another girl just the other night didn’t sit right. There was also the chance she’d see him again since he and Zane were friends.
She spun around and stepped toward Aiden. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem.” He smiled. “You busy later? I can’t think of anyone prettier to spend dinner with before I go.”
Sweet talker. Say yes.Say you’d love to. Coop will be gone. You can bring Aiden home with you. “I am actually. But thanks for asking.” Stupid principles.
“My loss. It was nice meeting you.”
“You, too.”
Aiden lifted his chin to Coop and took off. “I knew you couldn’t do it,” Coop said, his hand landing on her shoulder.
She shrugged off his touch. She damn well could do it and she’d prove it. As soon as she met the perfect stranger. “I could have. I just needed to set a good example.”
Coop laughed. “Yeah, you tell yourself that.” He took in her scowl. “Hey, for real, though, you’re the best sister a guy could have.” He wrapped her in a hug. “That’s why I stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“Right back at you,” she said, squeezing him tight. One good thing that had come out his accident was they’d grown much closer. And she’d never do anything to ruin that bond.
At seven o’clock that night, Honor curled up on her couch and scrolled through Netflix. She had a date withBreakfast at Tiffany’s.
“You with me, Pay? It’s time for some Audrey Hepburn. I remember when you dressed as her for Halloween. God, you looked exactly like her.”
Just as the opening scene popped onto her TV screen the doorbell rang. Perfect timing. She paused the movie, grabbed the twenty on the ottoman, and padded to the door in her socks.
Only it wasn’t the usual Japanese food delivery guy standing on her porch. “Bryce?”
“Hi, Honor.” He lifted the take-out bag. “I know this probably looks like I’m a creeper or something, but I’m really not. I happened to be at the restaurant picking up my own food when I heard the name ‘Honor.’ The delivery guy was running behind so I offered to swing by and drop it off. Here you go.” He handed her the bag. “That’ll be sixteen seventy-eight.”
His grin flashed like a hundred shooting stars, and wishes about kissing him again filled her head. The smile also stole her voice. She handed him the twenty.
He didn’t take it. “I’m kidding. It’s on me.”
She continued to stare at him like a mute madwoman. Bryce stood at her door in jeans and a tan button down, loose at the collar, the skin at this neck soft and—she leaned a little bit closer—smelling deliciously male. His hair was messier than normal and she wanted to run her fingers through it.
“Okay, well, have a good night.” He started to back away.
“Wait.” What was wrong with her? She never had trouble talking to guys. “You just happened to be here? That does sound kind of creepy,” she teased, secretly happy to see him again.
He stopped his steps. A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Zane called. He asked if I’d swing by his house to make sure the surprise he got for Sophie arrived okay.”
“Did it?” She wanted to ask what surprise, but held back. Sophie would no doubt want to share the news.
“Yes.”
“Do you want to come in and eat?” What was she doing? Her mouth had decided to operate on its own free will. “I mean I’m guessing you were going to eat on your drive home and that’s not really safe.”
“Thanks, but I should…” His brows furrowed in concentration, or maybe it was debate. Whatever it was, several seconds of silence only magnified the charged air particles between them.
“It’s okay,” she said. “Thanks for the special delivery.” She leaned on the door to close it.
“Hold on. I’d like to come in.” He ran to his car and grabbed his own brown bag.
