Better If He Goes (Always You #1) - Allie Everhart Page 0,53

I guess I thought maybe you'd be jealous."

"Why would I be jealous? We're friends. That's it. You can date whoever you want. You never asked me before if it was okay for you to date someone."

"Because you didn't know the girls I dated in college. You know Tara, so I thought it might be weird for you."

"Not at all. I don't have a problem with you dating Tara, or anyone else we know."

"You sure? Because if it were the other way around, I wouldn't like it."

"You don't want me dating anyone, even guys you don't know. But you can't be that way. You can't be mad at me for dating."

"I know," he says with a sigh. "I'm working on it. It would help if you didn't date one of my friends. Maybe you don't think it's weird, but I do. It'd be even worse if you were with someone like Brad. Having you date my cousin?" Nate lets out a laugh. "Shit. I know it wouldn't happen, but just thinking about it pisses me off."

Why does he think it wouldn't happen? Does he think Brad's too good for me? That a future doctor can't date a trailer park girl?

"Speaking of Brad, what are you guys doing tonight? Did you decide on a movie?"

"Not yet. Maybe we'll do something else. I don't really feel like going to a movie. What about you and Tara? I think you should go out with her, even if you just go as friends. It's Saturday night. You don't want to be stuck at home on a Saturday night."

"Yeah, I guess. I'll call her back."

"Nate, I should go. Brad's on his way."

"Okay. Have a good time."

I toss my phone on the bed and race to finish my makeup. I had to borrow some from my mom because I don't have much. She left with Dave soon after I got home. She said they might spend the night at his place, which would be awesome. I wish they'd go there every night instead of being here.

There's a knock on the trailer door. Brad's here. Knowing he's just a few feet away has those butterflies in my belly flapping their wings, making me feel happy and excited in a way I've never felt before.

"Hey," I say, greeting him at the door. "Come on in. I just need to grab my purse."

"You don't need it," he says as he steps inside. "Tonight's on me."

God, he looks good. Dark jeans, black leather shoes, button-up shirt, and wearing a cologne with a crisp manly scent that makes me want to get closer. I'm guessing that's why he wore it. If so, he didn't need it. Just seeing him here, I want to get closer.

I really want to kiss him. It's all I've been able to think about, and not being able to do it makes me think about it even more.

"Riley." His eyes drink me in, firing up a heat deep inside me. "You look beautiful. I love the dress."

"Thanks." I glance down at it. It's nothing great. Just a simple black knit dress I got at a thrift store a few years ago. But it fits me well and doesn't wrinkle, so it's one of my favorite dresses.

Brad takes a step closer and offers me his hand. "Come here."

I take his hand and he draws me into him, then wraps his arm around my waist.

"Brad." I look up at him. "I...we—" I was about to remind him this isn't a date, but the words refuse to come out.

His hand cups my face and he leans down. "You're so beautiful, Riley," he says in a soft, deep voice.

His lips brush against mine, then he kisses me, and it ignites all those feelings I've been wanting to feel again since the last time he kissed me. I thought the feelings weren't real, like maybe I'd imagined it all in my head when I was thinking about it later. But I didn't imagine it. The sparks. The heat. That lingering pleasure just below my belly. It's all happening again and I don't want it to stop.

"I said I wouldn't do this," Brad whispers, almost like he's talking to himself.

"I did too," I say, tilting my head back as he kisses my neck.

"But I can't seem to stop." His lips slide up to my ear, sending a tingly pleasure down my body. "What the hell are you doing to me, Riley?"

His warm breath by my ear makes me shiver. A shiver that creates more