Page 67 of Trailer Trash

I side-glance. Killian stands beside me like a dark apparition. My hands fall to my sides, and I freeze. The first thought tumbles from my lips.

“Did you do this?”

His brow furrows.

“Did you make Jaxson leave?”

Killian squints and looks around. “He left? Where?”

I squint, skeptical.

“He had a family emergency.” I search Killian’s face, looking for the slightest hint of a lie. “Tell me you had nothing to do with this.” I crowd his space. My fingertip presses to the middle of his chest, but I quickly retract my hand, knowing I cannot touch this man for long or bad things happen.

“Harlow, Harlow. Calm down. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I scoff loudly. “You ambushed my date! You brought River’s—”

“I did that,” he says, unashamed. He raises his palms in surrender. “Nina went home. Were ya jealous? I hope so.”

“This isn’t funny, Killian. You can’t keep invading my life. This is way past showing up at my place or snooping in my phone.”

“Look, I would tell you if I did. I didn’t hide those things.”

I sigh, disappointed in myself.

Because it feels good that he went to these absurd lengths to get closer. I just had a guy ditch me. I’ve never been so shocked on a date. I can’t believe he left.

“Trust me, lowly CNA. I did not have anything to do with your little boyfriend being a dick.”

I hold myself, wanting to believe him. Maybe Jaxson did have an emergency. Or maybe I said something wrong. Still, he just... abandoned me in the middle of dinner in a city by myself.

“He didn’t even pay the bill,” I murmur.

“I told you I’d give you money.”

I laugh softly. “No ride, either. He just left me here.”

Killian gestures to the parking lot. “I told you to take my car.”

“Oh, God,” I say, and snicker. “You’re impossible. And now I am out—” I count on my fingers. “—probably two hundred dollars once I pay for the taxi.”

He doesn’t deliver a slick line.

I glance up, finding him staring at me intensely. “Can I take you dancing?”

I do a double-take. “What?”

“You got all dressed up.” He points across the street. “Salsa dancing there. Hip hop in the white building. Preference?”

“Oh.” I hold my breath and look at my high heels. I did come out tonight. I never get out. This is such a bummer. I wanted to have fun and—

“You told me you like clubs. I’m a good dancer.”

I should call a rideshare. I should go home, throw away the rest of tonight, and pretend this never happened.

But Killian is standing there, looking at me like he can solve all my problems.

Before I can reply, he grabs my hand and leads me into the street. We weave through cars and I hurry to stay close so I don’t get hit. People are everywhere. Horns are honking. Music is blasting. It’s a rush, and I’m not hating it.