Page 107 of Falling for the Grumpy Bad Boy

Every word he said was making me think all of this wasn’t enough. Was I making a complete fool of myself?

“Is she here?” I asked. I could stand here all night and try to get more dating tips from a teenage boy, but I had a feeling that wasn’t going to get me very far.

The more I talked to the kid, the more I believed my hopes for any kind of thing with Clem were slipping away. All because some asshat with a phone decided to take a picture of us making out. And post it.

Everyone just needed to mind their own damn business.

“Clem!” Henry called over his shoulder. “Your chef is here!”

I heard footsteps on the stairs, and then she appeared behind her brother, wearing jeans and an oversized sweater. She looked like she’d been crying.

My heart lurched at the sight of her. It pissed me off she was suffering because of that asshat. It was exactly why I didn’t want to cross the line. I was pissed at myself for not being able to resist touching her. Kissing her.

“Rhett?” She stepped onto the porch, closing the door behind her. “What are you doing here?”

I held up the garment bag and jewelry box. “I came to take you to dinner. Me and you. A dinner that we’re not cooking.”

Her eyes widened as she took in my tuxedo, the gifts, the whole ridiculous romantic gesture of it all. “What is this about?”

“I saw the articles,” I said. “I saw what people are saying on social media. And I figured if they’re going to talk, we should give them something really worth talking about by being seen together. I want them to see it’s not some torrid love affair. It’s not dirty or wrong. If we hide, we look guilty.”

She was silent, just staring at the dress bag like it might bite her. I thought she would want to look at it.

I held up the box with the earrings. “These go with the dress.”

It was pretty clear it was jewelry. Shouldn’t that at least be intriguing? She looked like she couldn’t care less.

I was losing before I ever got started.

“Clem, I’m not ashamed to be with you. In fact, I want this more than anything. I’m done hiding what we have. Hiding it only makes us look guilty. You’re the one that said we were old enough to make our own decisions. I was wrong to try and keep this secret. I’m sorry if I made you feel like I wanted to hide you. You’re a beautiful woman, Clem. Any man would be proud to have you on their arm.”

Still nothing. She wouldn’t even look at me.

“Say something,” I said, frustration creeping into my voice.

Finally, she raised her eyes to mine. What I saw made my stomach drop. I just knew I screwed up. And that there was no way she was going out with me. I wasn’t even sure if she was going to have anything to do with me.

“I can’t do this,” she said quietly.

“What do you mean you can’t⁠—”

“I spoke with my father. The consequences are too risky, Rhett. I should have kept things professional between us. I’m so sorry if you felt like I led you on. You were right. I got carried away. I let myself get caught up. I’m sorry. I should have listened to you. I pushed you. I never should have gone to your hotel room.”

“Led me on?” The words came out harsher than I intended. “That’s bullshit and you know it.”

She looked away, color rising in her cheeks. “It’s not bullshit. It’s the truth.”

“No, the truth is that what happened between us was real. What we have is real.” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Don’t let other people’s opinions destroy something good. You are the one that fought for this. I know it took me a minute, but here I am. I get it. I’m here. I’m ready to fight.”

“It’s not about other people’s opinions,” she said, still not meeting my eyes. “It’s about consequences. Real ones. Sponsors pulling out. My family’s reputation. My brother’s future. This thing between us was a mistake. You were right.”

“Your brother’s future isn’t going to be ruined because you’re dating a chef.”

Her eyes met mine for a brief second. I saw guilt. Why would she be guilty? What would make her…

Then I understood.

Wow. This was what it felt like. I had dumped plenty of women after one night. I always did my best to let them down easily, but I suddenly understood what it felt like. She wasn’t dumping me because the sex was bad, either.