Page 124 of Darling Venom
One—I needed to boot Tate from my mind.
And two—I was doing a horrible job of concealing my intentions, but a part of me wanted Leah to figure it out and agree to date our super-hot, super-available neighbor.
Was that a crime?
“We can rent one inside.”
Don’t bother.
My hope became anger, and my anger became tears. I bit them back. Shoved them behind my eyes where they belonged and begged them to stay there, at least until I escaped.
“Actually…” I put my shoes back on. “I just remembered I left a manuscript at work that I need to finish tonight. Maybe some other time.”
I had no right to be mad.
I had no right to act on my guilt either.
But I did both, moving to the front door. It slammed behind me. In the hallway, I could still hear The Nanny blaring at full volume. Fran Drescher’s nasal tone rang in my ears.
A metal 3 and D loomed before me. It’d passed appropriate visiting hours at least four hours ago, but fuck it.
This needed to stop.
My fist collided with the wood before I remembered the doorbell and stabbed it. Less than a minute later, Jonah materialized before me, bleary-eyed and squinting against the hall light.
“Can I come in?”
He stepped aside. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes.”
“Leah okay?”
Of course, his first thought flew to Leah.
Which was exactly why he was perfect for her. That, and the fact that he was a million times better than Phil-get-about-it.
“No, actually, she’s not.” I sat on one of his kitchen stools, accepting the mug of instant hot chocolate he handed me. “She’s lonely. I think she knitted a stack of blankets taller than me today. She’s still going at it as we speak.”
“I know why you’re here. You want me to ask her out again.” He took his place across from me, staring directly into my eyes. “She turned me down, Charlotte. I don’t want to push her and make things awkward between us.”
“She’s worth fighting for. She just needs a little nudge.”
And it can’t come from me.
“Charlotte—”
“Please.” I grabbed his hand, squeezing it hard. “I’m begging you.”
“I want to date her. You don’t have to beg me. It’s her you need to convince.”
“Please, just try?” I hopped off the stool and lowered myself to my knees, pressing my palms together like a prayer.
“What are you doing?”
“Begging. Is it working?”
He took his time answering, but a smile built on his face. “Get your ass off the floor, knucklehead. I’ll do it.”
