“I just don’t understand why you would do this for my family. My dad is going to flip out when I tell him.”

“What do you mean? Like he’s going to be pissed?” Those words were the last thing I’d expected to hear.

Her eyes pulled together as she contemplated how to explain her thoughts to me. “My dad’s going to feel like he owes you. And he’s not going to be able to stand it. This will probably make him hate you more.” She actually sounded annoyed, and that little crack in her armor gave me hope. “It’s so stupid. It should make him hate you less, right? But I know it won’t.”

She took a few steps toward me before cupping my chin with her hand and pressing a quick kiss against my cheek. All the blood rushed to my pants, and I wanted to turn my head and change this G-rated kiss into something more suited for adults.

“Thank you again. I can never repay you for what you’ve done,” she said before backing away and putting distance between us.

I wondered if she regretted what she’d just done, but I sure as shit wasn’t going to ask and give her a chance to tell me yes.

“Where are your parents, by the way? I’m surprised your dad wasn’t out here, trying to push me into the fire.”

She actually laughed, and I wanted to bottle that sound up and listen to it on repeat whenever I was having a shit day.

“They’re in Italy, visiting family.”

“Go out with me,” I said, refusing to take no for an answer this time.

“Go out with you?” she repeated.

“You do that a lot.”

“Do what?”

“Repeat the things I say.”

“I do?”

“James! Get the hell over here.” My dad sounded absolutely pissed.

I was honestly surprised he’d let me talk to Julia for this long without interrupting. I wondered briefly how much he’d seen.

“That’s how you can thank me for saving the vines. Go out with me.” I started to back away, hoping she’d say yes.

She kicked the dirt with her feet, her arms wrapped around her middle. “I knew this was a trick.”

I laughed. “Julia, one date won’t kill you.”

“One date with you might,” she fired back, and I hated how much her attitude turned me on.

“So, that’s a yes?” I stopped walking and waited.

My dad screamed my name again, and I suddenly felt like I was a teenager about to get grounded for doing something wrong.

“I’m not taking no for an answer, so you might as well give in.”

“Fine. But I won’t enjoy myself.” Julia waved me off before turning her back to me.