He grinned at me before grabbing our bags, and we walked through the station to where I’d parked in the pay-to-park lot. After I’d started the car, he reached over the gearshift to take my hand.

“Amber,” he said, his tone soft and pleading. “I can tell you’re chewing on something.”

I immediately stopped biting my lower lip, knowing that’s not what he meant.

“If it’s me,” he continued, “if it’s what happened, if it’s too much—”

“It’s not,” I cut him off but kept my eyes focused on the road. “I promise, Dean. Last night—” A glow warmed my cheeks as I grinned like a girl at Comic-Con. “I’m so happy.”

I started the drive toward his house, but I could feel his gaze on me. He had me pinned, seeing right through the mask I’d tried to keep in place since reading the article.

“But,” I said, relenting, “I am working something out in my head. Nothing to do with us. Well, sort of. It’s about our challenge. My side of it. I’ve run into a snag. And I’ve been mentally trying to connect with my gear since this morning.”

He chuckled, the sigh of relief not lost on me. “Wait,” he said. “You hit a snag this morning?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“You don’t have your laptop. And there wasn’t a computer in the room,” he said, the gears in his head turning. “So, it was something you had to see on your cell.”

I spared him a warning glance. “Don’t,” I said. “It’s not fair you trying to puzzle it out.”

“Fine, fine,” he said. “You know, if you wanted to drop this little bet of ours…in light of what’s happened…”

“What’s happened?”

“Um,” he said, clearing his throat. “You being my girlfriend?”

A thrill shot up my spine. Girlfriend? I supposed I was, but the word seemed small somehow.

I had been Brandon’s girlfriend.

With Dean? I simply felt like…his.

I laughed. “That just makes me want to beat you more.”

“Really?” he teased. “Well, then. Keep on bringing it. Maybe you should come inside when you drop me off.”

“Reasoning?”

“Like you need it?” he faux-scoffed. “I could distract you. Keep you from fixing this snag for a few more hours.”

The thought swirled heat in my core. Being in Dean’s room, in his arms, on his bed…

“No,” I said a little too quickly. “It’s important.”

“How important?” he asked, and when I glanced at him, his eyes were wary.

Damn. He was sniffing a little too close. Because why would it be so important I couldn’t spend a few more hours with him? Unless it was big. Too big.

“So important that I’m turning down time with you.”

“That worries me,” he said. “Can I help you?”

My heart warmed at his instant offer, but I shook my head.