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Uh-oh Here co my head

"You’re an only child?"

"Yes"

He studies ureabout your faet it," he says softly, then takes a sip of his soda

And that’s it He doesn’t press, doesn’t ask for more I almost want to collapse with relief He makes me feel so wonderfully normal

"So you never did tell me hoas," Owen says as he pushes his empty boay from him For someone who’s as fit as he is, he can certainly pack it away

"Hoas?" I’ but as usual, er than my stomach and my bowl is still practically half full

"Your dinner With the ical, crazy I’ve-never-tried-this-before sauce" He s how delicious it was "It was all right"

"Uh-huh You didn’t finish it" He nods towardappetite like you do" I wave my hand toward his very empty bowl

"Hmm" He snatches up my bowl and takes a bite that consists mostly of noodles The look of pleasure that crosses his face is unood Better than mine"

"Give me a break I pretty hs and continues to eat o? "Maybe you have the special touch Because this shit is a about hihs and talks and eats like he doesn’t have a care in the world, but I know that’s somewhat of a façade What Oants all of the world to see There’s liain, so aaze drops to his lips, and I see the tiny bit of ht there On the corner of your low lighting his eyes as he studies ests

Now I’m really shocked "Are you serious?"

He tilts his head Doesn’t bother re off his lip and I swear it’s tauntingme to lean over the small table and lick the corner of his mouth "What do you think?" he asks

"No You’re definitely not serious" There’s just … no way

"What if I told you yes, I was?"

"I wouldn’t believe you"

Owen

Well, she should believein circles all night Dinner was good, though it got tense at one point with the pot talk But that quickly became a non-issue and I actually talked to her Told her a little about my private life, and I never do that I’irls

She hardly said anything I’d try to ask her a question and she’d deflect it with another Or she’d give ht I was secretive This girl won’t give an inch, no matter how subtle my questions, or how blatant No inforured out she’s from the Bay Area and that’s about it

I want to knowher shit for going out on a li a rule here and there She’s so damn orderly and in control, she needs to learn how to let loose Be free I ht be a little too free soid you don’t kno to enjoy life

I think Chelsea’s been on such a tight schedule of studying, working, then studying some more, she doesn’t kno to relax And I want to help her I want her to relax

Withto lick o Take her for a drive and kiss her in the quiet confines of ht and has a few friends with him I bet Des is there, too They’re probably drunk as fk or worse, high as kites

Forget that shit I need to avoid it

I grab a napkin and wipe thethat little discussion I’m over it It’s tio?"

Chelsea nods and tosses her napkin on the table before she stands, her purse slung over her bare shoulder since that sexy-as-hell sweater slipped again She did so to her hair between the tieous waves that fall past her shoulders teh her silky hair Cup the back of her neck and draw her in close So close our lips are al but not quite I want to breathe her breath, anticipate the kiss for long, tre seconds before I finally move in and close the deal

I have never been patient If I’ back But with Chelsea, I’ it slow I’, I’m scared I’ll somehow fk it up I … like her A lot I actually want to spend time with her, and that’s not normal formy hand on her lower back alk outside She’s warh the thick fabric of her sweater, and I slipI could slide it over her backside

But I wait

The night air is cold andhas settled in, and little sparkles of moisture dot her hair by the tientleentleer seat

Get it together, Maguire, I tell myself as I round the front ofinside

"Where to now?" she asks, chewing on her lip in that nervous way she has as she reaches for the seat belt

"Can’t go to my place unless you want to deal with Wade, and ine idle "They’re both there, and I’m sure other people are over, too" They can’t ever be alone Always got to turn everything into a party

"Oh" More chewing of the lip Poor thing I should probably kiss it andher new so-called boyfriend over, so that probably won’t work"