Page 53 of No One But Us

My hand wraps around her wrist. “I’m sorry. Just wait, because you’re taking that all wrong.” I stop to gather my thoughts. “It’s not that I don’t want to. If my memory of last night is correct, it was pretty clear I wanted to. There’s just...you’re young, and...”

“Seriously? I’m not that young, James. You’re only two years older than Ryan. I can guarantee you that I could walk inside right now and Max would agree I was adult enough to do anything I offered to do.”

I feel my hands tighten around the arms of the chair. “Don’t even fucking think about it.”

“I’m just making a point, which is that your objection to my age is bullshit.”

I sigh. “It’s not just your age. There’s other stuff too. With my family. My mom’s already having a rough time, and this would send her over the edge.”

Her mouth opens, and for a moment no words emerge. “Are you honestly telling me that who you date would lead your mom not to eat?”

I understand her disbelief. I wish I could tell her my suspicions, but God knows the last thing Elle needs this summer is one more family drama on her shoulders. I’m shocked she’s held up dealing with the ones already there.

“I know it sounds far-fetched. Just suffice it to say there’s some other stuff you don’t know.”

“So did you mean the things you said?”

I close my eyes. They are very few things in life worse than doing awful shit while you’re drunk and being unable to remember it clearly.

“I don’t remember what I said. And I don’t want to know what I said. But yeah, most likely it was all true.” I glance at her. “So are you going to tell me what happened?”

“What do you remember?”

I lay my head against the back of the chair. “I don’t want to tell you because I’m not sure what was a dream and what wasn’t.”

“Why would you assume any of it was a dream?”

I look at her and sigh. “Because it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had fairly vivid dreams about you.”

She grins. “Really?”

“That hardly makes me unique. I’m sure every guy who’s ever met you has had the same. Look, I remember kissing you. And I remember you telling me to go to bed. And then we were in my room and there was more, but it’s all vague. That’s the part I’m less sure about.” I give her a pleading look, but she remains silent. She’s enjoying my discomfiture way too much. “So we didn’t sleep together?”

“No.”

“Did you, uh…” God, this is fucking agony. She’s really going to make me spell it out. “Did you give me…”

Her shoulders settle, and she laughs. “No. Nothing happened. I stopped it because when it happens, I want it to be something you actually remember the next day.”

I shake my head. “It’s not ever going to happen.”

She laughs, and the sound is slightly evil, like Max hatching a plan. “If you say so.”

Chapter 31

ELLE

After work that night, Kristy persuades me to go out. Since Ginny is gone and I know James will likely just avoid me, I’ve got no reason not to.

I follow her to a bar two streets over from work, and I laugh when I walk inside. “I can’t believe you chose a bar that is exactly like The Pink Pelican.”

“What you apparently haven’t learned about Rehoboth yet is that every bar here is exactly like The Pink Pelican. Look,” she says, nodding inside, “they even have a hot bartender.”

“I could do without another hot bartender,” I reply. “I’m just glad I finally get to try out my fake ID.”

Her eyes widen. “I had no idea you weren’t of age. You seem so much older.”

Raising yourself will do that, I suppose.