Page 42 of Singled Out
That didn’t mean I could have her in my life.
I walked out the door. Breathing in the steamy summer air, I felt as if I’d avoided a close call.
If I didn’t want to get burned, I’d have to do better at staying away from the open flame named Harper.
It’d been a wild couple of days, but I had game film to review, algebra quizzes to grade, and most importantly, a little boy to raise.
Chapter Thirteen
Harper
I’d been using art as an escape since that first class I took from Naomi years ago.
Today I’d gone out to the studio to avoid Max. I’d pulled out my polished gemstone collection without a goal beyond busying myself, soothing myself by running my fingers over the smooth surfaces, until Ian got rid of him. Obviously nothing had gone to plan.
The rubies had caught my attention, and I’d mindlessly pulled out all the pieces I had with no project in mind. After Max’s appearance—or I should say, after kissing the hell out of Max again—I’d decided to turn one of the polished pieces into a ring. Only once I was halfway through the first stage of the project did it hit me that ruby is known for strengthening courage and passion.
Maybe that’s why I kissed him.
Ha. If only I could blame a little polished rock.
I’d kissed him because, well, he was intense and hot and not expecting it. And fun as hell to kiss.
A better question would be, why wouldn’t a girl kiss him?
Because she liked it too much, maybe, a voice in my head whispered.
I knew he’d told me about his dedication to Danny specifically to remind me there was no chance for something serious between us. Hard truth: That only made it easier to kiss him. If I thought he wanted a relationship, I’d run and lock myself in my room. Max had made it clear there was no chance of a real thing.
Between that and his sexy face and his athletic body? He was tough to resist kissing. That it threw him off-kilter was a bonus.
As I walked down the sidewalk toward Grandma’s Attic, though, the joke might’ve been on me. I couldn’t get Max out of my mind. How his lips felt. The way he’d taken less than a second to return the kiss. Those big hands on my waist, at the small of my back, lightly clutching my ass. I could easily imagine what it’d be like with no clothing between us and a mattress beneath us.
A smarter girl would promise herself to avoid Max, to stay away from the temptation. I was more apt to get myself in trouble, because honestly? I would not mind getting naked with Max Dawson one bit.
Approaching Mrs. Karasinski’s storefront, I scanned the area for Dakota, who’d easily agreed to meet me here after her shift at Henry’s. I didn’t see her yet.
Movement inside the store caught my eye, and I realized Darius Weber was waving at me. He’d told me he was showing the shop to a prospective business owner before my appointment.
I heard my name and spotted Dakota hurrying toward me from across the square.
“You made it,” I said when she was a few feet away.
“Just got off work. Demand for cold adult beverages is high today, so I’m running late.”
“All good. Darius is still in the shop with someone.”
The door opened then, and Darius greeted us. “Hello, ladies. Why don’t you come in out of the heat.”
“Thanks,” I said as we followed him in.
Grandma’s Attic was an appropriate name and more acceptable in polite circles than, say, Grandma’s Crap Collection. The store looked the same way it had for years. It was overflowing with knickknacks and figurines, tchotchkes and trinkets, some of them probably still here from decades ago. It was like a garage sale with one-of-a-kind items, brand-name collectibles that targeted people Mrs. Karasinski’s age, and a fine and casual dinnerware section that had probably kept Mrs. K in business over the years.
The store as a whole was chaos to the eyes. I was sure some people might see a treasure trove, but I just saw a mess. Always had. Bless that dear woman’s heart.
“We’re running a little behind, so I’m going to leave Cambria down here while I take you two upstairs,” the real estate agent said.
My eyes went to the side of the store he gestured to.