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Dean started the truck, but a silly grin remained on his face. “I thought it was a good idea.”
“Let’s get going before someone else peeks in.” In truth, Emilie’s breathing was more erratic than it’d been in the studio when she’d danced at full speed. The nostalgia and the return to town was making her temporarily crazy. Tomorrow, she’d go back to holding everything in and trying to find a happy normal. She couldn’t develop feelings for a guy and then get crushed. Especially not Dean, not even a little bit. Losing him would do her in.
She took a few calming breaths and stretched her long legs out. “Would you turn up the air? I’m dying.”
He snickered as he turned up the air conditioner.
While he drove her home, it wasn’t long before thoughts of kissing him invaded her mind. Her thoughts were so tied up with their locking lips she didn’t notice when he pulled up behind her car. It still sat there, weighed down with her life.
Her throat dried. What would the rest of the night entail? Unpacking? Cleaning? Hiding was more likely. When had it gotten so dark? She swallowed down the uncomfortable feeling of being alone. Her fear shook, threatening to spill. She couldn't go back to her house, not then. It was too soon. Maybe after a good night's sleep.
“Can I—”
“Stay at my place for the night?” Dean filled in the words for her.
She looked over at him, trying not to stare at his lips. It wasn’t a good idea. With some hesitation, she looked at the packed-down jeep. Nothing had been brought inside, and the thought of unpacking alone sent shivers up her back.
“Maybe just tonight. I’ll come over early and give it a good try tomorrow.”
He put his truck into park but let the engine idle. “I’m working earlier shifts this week and should be home in the afternoon. You can hang out at my place, and then we can go at this together.”
A blush filled her cheeks at the thought of being tangled up in each other’s arms only minutes ago. Thank goodness he couldn’t see her clearly. Shaking the thoughts away, she said, “Sounds perfect. I’m sure I’ll be ready then.”
She hopped out of the truck and took a moment to let the cool breeze clear her mind. Then she grabbed a bag she had subconsciously packed that morning. It had a change of clothes and anything she’d need for a sleepover. Wait, had she just thought of it as a sleepover?
A picture of the two of them sleeping in the same bed crossed her mind. She bit her lip hard. Nope, that couldn’t happen. She’d sleep on the couch if the other rooms were taken. Sure, she’d felt something for him a couple of times over the years, but nothing like the chemistry that was stirred by kissing him. He was getting to her, and she couldn’t let that happen.
She sighed and continued gathering her things. If she didn’t get a handle on her hormones, they would ruin everything.
8
Dean
The next morning, Dean pulled up to the docks at a quarter to three in the morning. He hadn’t gotten much sleep anyway since Emilie was in the next room, so he might as well go to work and be productive. Then he could get back to her sooner.
Both of the guys who worked for him were waiting when he reached the boardwalk.
“Hey, boss,” Roy drawled. “You going with us?”
Roy Parker was Dean’s right-hand man. He was thicker around the middle and slower of speech than most, but he knew when and where to cast the nets.
“Yeah, I’m going out, but why are you guys here so early?”
Roy yawned and rubbed his large neck. “We heard you caught more in the morning yesterday, so we wanted to give it a go. I’ll be happy if it doesn’t work out.”
Dean nodded. “Everything ready?”
“Yep. Nets are cleaned, boats been checked. I’m just waiting for the all clear from Ranger.”
Dean’s small team worked well together, and he was glad he wouldn’t be alone to overthink what happened last night. Ranger drove the boat, most of the time, and Roy led them to the best fishing spots. Dean managed the accounts and occasionally helped the boys deliver fish, but right then, he needed to get his hands dirty.
Seeing Finn yesterday irked him, and even more irksome was the fact that Finn had invited Emilie to help with his wedding. But most of his mind was occupied with Emilie and the kiss they’d shared. At first, he couldn’t believe she’d kissed him back, but what did it mean? Right after that, she’d rejected him.
His daring move reminded him of their kiss right before she left Danvers six years ago. It had been a brave, stupid move, a selfish way to keep her in his memory. Last night’s kiss had been every bit as tantalizing and frustrating.
His thoughts were so preoccupied with her lips that he stepped into a gap in the deck and nearly toppled over. He caught himself on the edge of the wood railing, but not without consequence. His ankle rolled forward, and he heard a pop. “Oomph.” He grabbed the side of his leg and massaged his ankle.
Roy turned when he heard the noise. “Boss, you okay?”
