Things We Never Said (Hart's Boardwalk #3) - Samantha Young Page 0,41
Michael had ditched a girl for me because I’d sounded upset.
I felt that in an ache in my chest and, to my chagrin, an ache between my legs.
Heat rolled through me, and I did my best to ignore it. “Now I feel terrible. It was only a stupid argument with my mom.”
“Dahlia, I’ve never seen you cry so I’m guessing it wasn’t stupid.” He shot me another look. “Why didn’t you call Gary?”
“I tried. He was supposed to be taking me out tonight, but he canceled. That’s how the argument with my mom started.”
“So you called me? You don’t have a girlfriend you can call?”
Embarrassment prickled me, and I hated that feeling. Especially in front of him. “I’m sorry I called, okay? You can drop me off here.”
“Hey, I’m not mad that you called. I’m … glad.” He kept his eyes on the road, and I took the time to study his profile. Why was he so freaking handsome? His voice was a little hoarse when he continued, “I don’t like the idea of you being sad.”
Why was he so freaking wonderful too?
To cover my rush of inappropriate feelings, I teased, “Even if it means being cockblocked?”
Michael chuckled. “I think you might have saved me. When I told her a friend needed me, she went off like a fuckin’ shrew.” He winced at the memory. “Not sexy.”
“Well then, I’m glad to have helped.”
Michael shot me that boyish, crooked smile of his and I couldn’t help but smile back. “That’s better,” he said quietly.
I bit my lip at the awareness that sprung between us and turned to look out my window. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere we can talk.”
We were quiet a moment as he drove out of Everett.
“Thank you,” I said.
“For what?”
“For dropping everything to come get me. I don’t … I’m not usually such a drama queen.”
“Dahlia, no one would ever accuse you of being a drama queen.”
“It’s just you seem older than the rest of us. I don’t want to seem immature in comparison.”
“Does older mean boring?” he asked.
Surprised by the slight insecurity I detected in his voice, I reassured him. “Absolutely not.” It was sexy. So, so sexy.
I definitely should not have called him.
A few minutes later Michael pulled into a parking lot in South Wellington at the Mystic River Reservation. The lot was empty. “We’re not supposed to park here after dark.”
He shrugged. “We’ll take off if we see a patrol car.”
I gave a huff of laughter. “Michael, you’re a rookie. I don’t think you should take this chance.”
“I’ll say you got sick and I had to pull over somewhere.”
I studied him a second as he parked the car. “You would absolutely get away with that.”
“I have a sincere face.”
“You do.” I laughed. “You so do. I bet you got out of a lot of trouble growing up because of that face.”
He took off his belt and turned a little in his seat to face me. “Gary would have gotten into some serious shit if it weren’t for this face.”
“I believe that too.” My eyes roamed over his features, and I tried to avoid his lips. His eyes always ensnared me, and it was hard to avoid them, but I had to avoid his lips. They were so beautifully formed. Almost a little pouty for a guy. The hard angles of the rest of his face stopped those lips from making him a pretty boy. However, it did not stop me thinking about his mouth more than I should. When I drew Michael’s face, I took extra time on his lips, trying to get the curvature perfect.
Oh damn, I was staring.
I cleared my throat and looked out across the lot at the dark park beyond.
“So …,” Michael prompted, “you going to tell me what happened with your mom?”
“Ah, Sorcha McGuire.” I tried for breezy and snarky. “I’m pretty sure she gives more than ten percent in her tithe in the hopes that Jesus will set me on the right path.”
Michael stared at me until I squirmed.
“What?”
“You don’t have to be ‘on’ all the time with me. I get it. You’re a funny smart-ass, and I love that about you. But let’s be real here, Dahlia. Whatever happened tonight, you are not as cool about it as you’re trying to make out. Or you wouldn’t have called me.”
Tears burned my eyes and I looked away.
Seconds later his warm, calloused hand wrapped around mine and I turned back to him. “Talk to me.”