Hate to Date You (Dating #4) - Monica Murphy Page 0,49

wonder she’s so feisty—she had to deal with her overbearing brothers growing up.

She laughs, her hand dropping from my arm. I immediately feel the loss. “Yes, that’s exactly what I do. They don’t have a clue. I treat my dad the same way. They’re very bossy. And domineering.” She takes a step away from me, like she needs the distance. “You want to start the next movie?”

“Yeah. Sure.” She begins to move past me, but I touch her, my fingers circling around the bend in her arm. She comes to a stop, facing me. “Stella, I want to apologize again for how I left you that next morning. I’m sorry I just—bailed without another word. It was a cowardly thing to do.”

Her head lifts, her dark brown eyes meeting mine, and I see the confusion swirling in their depths. And the surprise. “I appreciate the second apology, Carter. And while I still expect a little more groveling from you, looking back, I realize I knew what I was getting myself into that night.”

Did she, though? Because I sure as hell didn’t. “Right. And you’re a sexual unicorn, so you were thoroughly prepared.”

She laughs, her eyes now sparkling with amusement. “Yes. I’m definitely a sexual unicorn, though I don’t think I’d consider myself prepared for what happened that night. You would be smart to try to capture me now, you know. I’m a rare and special breed.”

I go completely still at her words. So does she. Her eyes widen, and her plush lips part, as if she’s about to say something else. A little noise escapes her and then she presses her lips together, slowly shaking her head.

“I didn’t mean that,” she murmurs.

My fingers tighten around her arm as if I have no control over them. “Are you sure about that?”

“I mean, yes, I’m a sexual unicorn.” She laughs, and I can’t help but chuckle. “But I didn’t mean to imply you should try to—capture me, keep me, whatever.” Her cheeks are pink, and damn if she’s not the cutest, and sexiest, thing I ever did see.

“I like unicorns,” I tell her conversationally, stepping closer, invading her space. She doesn’t step back. No, more like Stella leans in a little bit, and I don’t know if it’s the liquor or the conversation, or just the fact that it’s been a while since I’ve had sex and my body is remembering how compatible we are.

“So do I,” she whispers, just as l lower my head, my mouth hovering above hers.

A phone rings, startling us both, and I spring away from her, my hand dropping from her arm. She offers me an embarrassed smile before she goes into the living room and grabs her phone from where she left it on the coffee table.

“Hey,” she answers, then goes quiet. She’s listening to whoever’s talking, and from where I’m standing I can tell it’s a female. A young female. Probably one of her friends.

Hopefully not my sister. Talk about crushing the mood.

“Wait, really? Oh my gosh, that’s so romantic! Yes, let’s definitely get together! Okay, text me when you have more details.” A pause. “Uh huh.” Another pause. “Right, yes, that sounds perfect! Okay, talk to you later.” Stella ends the call and turns to look at me. “That was Sarah. Jared’s sister just got engaged.”

I’m frowning. I can’t keep track of all her friends to save my life. “Which one is she?”

“Candice. The one who’s with the Christmas tree farmer.” Stella gets this distant look on her face, her eyes going soft. “He’s got this gruff exterior, but really he’s just so sweet for Candice. It’s the cutest thing. I’m not a romantic, but those two together make me swoon.”

“Really?” I’m surprised. I remember Charlie the tree farmer. He’s a good dude. A little quiet. Not as polished as the rest of the men who are a part of this group.

She nods. “They remind me of Lara Jean and Peter from our movie, but they’re real, you know?”

“Ah.” Sounds like a bunch of phony bullshit to me, but whatever. I can play along. Though that phone call interrupted a major moment. I was fully intent on kissing her.

Maybe it’s best it didn’t happen.

We start the movie, but we’re only fifteen minutes in when the delivery shows up with our pizza. We pause the movie and grab more drinks—water this time for both of us—along with paper plates and napkins before we dive in. For someone who claims she doesn’t like pizza, Stella devours