Page 63 of Flirting with Trouble

“Noah,” her father says sternly. “That’s enough.”

Noah holds his hands up in surrender. “I’m just having fun with her.”

“Friends are good, honey,” her mother says. “And, Wells, you’re such a nice young man. I’m glad you two have become friendly.”

“Thank you, Mrs. B,” I say. “I am, too.”

“Pep and I started out as friends,” Clay says with a smirk.

“Pepper ran from you every time she saw your ugly mug,” Noah reminds him.

“He was just too cute to look at,” Pepper says in Clay’s defense.

“He’s jealous, babe.” Clay kisses her.

“So, Gram, how’s your birthday so far?” Victory asks. “What have you and Grandpa been up to?”

“You know there’s never a dull moment with us,” her grandmother says, and goes on to tell everyone about the things they’ve been doing lately.

They talk for another fifteen minutes or so, and when Victory ends the call, she exhales loudly as she pockets her phone. “Well, that was awkward.”

“Nah. They’re just giving you a hard time.”

She looks at me apologetically. “I’m sorry for how I reacted. I’m just not ready to be the center of all that.”

“I get it. But it’s obvious they love me.”

She laughs softly.

I drape an arm over her shoulder, walking to the next exhibit, and say, “If you want my advice, I think you should just get on board with it. We both know you’re going to end up there anyway. I’m irresistible.”

Victory

Wells makes it easy to move past the hiccup with my family, and the rest of the day is a whirlwind of exploration—of the Inner Harbor and each other. We hold hands as we meander through museums and gift shops, learning more about each other with every passing minute and losing ourselves in every stolen kiss, of which there are many. Wells found a cute onesie for Stevie that has I’m not crabby above a picture of a crab and You’re crabby beneath it.

I love that he thought of his nephew.

I haven’t been this happy or free in years. I don’t know if it’s because we’re not in New York or something else, but everything feels different. I’m noticing things about Wells I haven’t noticed before. Like when we walk along sidewalks, he always moves to the side closest to the street. He opens every door for me, and one of my favorite things he does is when we’re talking and he tucks my hair behind my ear and says, There you are, like he did last night and this morning, as if just seeing my face is special.

When we get back to Teterboro Airport, I feel like I’ve been gone a month. I’m sad our trip is over but grateful for the time we had. “Thank you for everything,” I say as the plane lands. “I had an amazing night, and today was the best day I’ve had in years.”

He lifts our joined hands and kisses the back of mine. “I’m glad. I had a great time, too. I wish we had one more night, but I have to be on the island for a staff meeting early tomorrow morning.”

“I know. You mentioned it earlier.” But I love knowing you want more time, too.

His eyes brighten. “Why don’t you come with me to the island? I’ve got that meeting and a couple hours of work to take care of, but we can have the rest of the day together. You can see my family, hang out with my friends, and be back by Monday morning.”

Half my heart screams, Yes, go! but the other half holds me back. Somehow going to the island seems like a much bigger statement than when he comes to the city. I know that’s not fair. Especially after the great time we’ve had, but I’m just not ready to go there.

“I wish I could,” I say lamely.

“It’s okay,” he says with tempered disappointment. “I guess the car ride to your place will have to hold me over until next time.”

“You don’t have to come with me. You can’t make Tessa wait.”

“She won’t mind. I pay her well, and I want to be sure you get home safely.”

“That big heart of yours is really something. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve been getting myself home for a long time. I’ll text you when I get there.”