For Lucy

Tatum didn’t give me an inch. She held her scowl firmly in place. Earning every ounce of her affection gave me a lot of gratification. I would have been disappointed had she conceded her interest in me too quickly.

Her head tipped to the side like my—well, my parents’—dog. In hindsight, all the uneasy feelings she gave me in that moment were the start of something I would later recognize as love.

Fluid.

Ever changing.

A shifting pendulum of intensity.

“Is that why you tried to steal me? By choice, not necessity?”

Steal her …

I grinned. “No. I’m certain that was out of necessity.”

Tatum didn’t want to grin, which made the hint of a smile ghosting along her face that much more spectacular. “You’re such a player. And a cheater. A thief. You were …” Her pink glossed lips rubbed together as she contemplated her next words.

I stepped inside, taking a glance around the two-story foyer. “I was enamored. Hanging on your every word. Dumbfounded by that smile.” My attention refocused on her face, which was far more appealing than the over-priced house she was trying to sell. “And you left me wounded on the sidewalk. Shot down with your middle finger.” I toed off my boots and made my way to the living room, through the library, and around to the kitchen overlooking a manicured backyard with a fenced-in garden at the far corner.

“You’re a liar and a thief,” she said, her heels clicking behind me.

I turned and she came to an abrupt halt, chin tipped up to me. After studying her for a few seconds, I shrugged. “I’ve never stolen anything in my life, but I’d steal you if I could, and that’s the truth. So now I’m just a thief, not a liar.”

“You live with your parents.” She chuckled, taking a step back, peeling her gaze from mine.

“So we’re past the part where I lied to you and tried to steal you.” I nodded several times. “That’s good. That’s really good. I can deal with your apprehension to fall for a guy who still lives with his parents.”

“Whoa … fall for you?” Her attention snapped back to me.

“Was Cody still in the bar?” I asked.

“No.” She crossed her perfectly defined arms over her chest, making those bracelets clink again.

“Did you have your friends reschedule your blind date?”

Blinking several times, she remained quiet.

“I’ll take that as a no.” I winked.

She shook her head, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. I could smell something floral. Lavender. God … she smelled amazing and so out of my league.

“Because you were too busy doing recon on me? Finding out that I live with my parents, which means you figured out my real name. How did you do that? Did you wait for me to finish work and follow me home? Did you have a friend tail me? I’m flattered. Really.”

“You’re arrogant.”

I chuckled, sliding my fingers into my back pockets. “I’m feigning confidence because you make me nervous.”

Something in her expression changed. A subtle shift. It felt … real. A glimpse of what was to come for us. It stole my breath.

“Tell me those two hours at the cafe with me weren’t the best two hours you’ve experienced in a long time. Tell me you stayed for me, not just another cup of hot chocolate. Tell me over the past ten days you’ve secretly hoped we’d run into each other, and that’s the reason you haven’t asked for a redo with Toby.”

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she blew out a quick breath while her lips made a reluctant bend into a smile that showed her teeth. “Cody. His name is Cody.”

“Toby. Cody. Dopey. Doesn’t matter. He’s an idiot for not being on time to your blind date. My name is Emmett Riley, but you know that. And I’m punctual.”

The more she laughed, the more nervous it made me. I liked her so much it became increasingly difficult to imagine her not giving me a second chance. “You weren’t punctual that night. You were just there.”

“Timing, accidental or not, is everything. Seconds matter.”

Lips pressed together, she gave me nothing more than an undecipherable glare. “Jobs matter too. And you’re not seriously interested in this house, so you should go.”

“I’m interested in you.”

“I’m not for sale.” She curled her hair behind her right ear, revealing a gold hoop earring.

“That Bond movie is still playing.” I ignored her comment and stayed focused on my goal. “I think there’s a seven o’clock showing tonight. The drive-in theater is still open.”

“Thanks for the information. Do you need me to see you out?”

“No. I can find my way out. Then you can watch me leave. I’ve been assured I have a nice backside.”

Her mouth trembled as if it was killing her to keep from relinquishing another smile. “You should get better friends. Honest friends.”