We say goodbye to the rest of the guys eating, then walk outside. I follow Harper to her truck, and she tells me to text her when I get home so she knows I made it okay.

As I walk to my Jeep, I hear my name from behind, then turn and see Kane.

“Hey, wanted to catch you before you left. What are you doin’ on Friday?” he asks.

I give him a smile. “No plans as of now.”

“Make some time for me so we can hang out again.”

“Let me check my schedule and get back to you. I was gonna take Ivy and Harper Christmas shopping soon. What’d you have in mind?”

The side grin that sweeps across his face is adorable. “It’s a surprise. Let me know if you’re available,” Kane tells me, then opens my door. I climb in, and when he shuts it, I roll down my window.

“I will,” I tell him. “I’ll find out soon.”

“Great. Have a good night, Hads,” he says. I can only imagine how much courage it took for him to ask, especially after the scene with Knox.

“Thanks, you too. I’ll talk to you later.” I smile at him, thinking about how it felt to have his lips on mine. Then my mind goes to thoughts of Knox’s mouth between my legs, and I’m feeling conflicted all over again.

Too bad they wouldn’t be down for sharing. It would make my life a helluva lot easier.

I back out of the parking lot, then make my way down the long gravel driveway. Right now, all I can think about is Knox and the look on his face.

Before I turn onto the country road, I stop and pull out my phone.

I’m not sure what I want to say to Knox, but I can’t leave without saying something.

Hadleigh: Just want you to know, Harper and I were there eating, and everyone else joined us.

I don’t need to clarify further because it looked like we were on some kind of date. He doesn’t completely deserve an explanation, but I hated seeing the look on his face when he saw us.

Moments later, it shows that he’s read it, and I wait for his text bubble to pop up, but it doesn’t. Instead of waiting, I make my way home. I keep my phone in my lap, waiting for a response. When I walk inside my condo, I unlock my phone, and still nothing. I text Harper and let her know I made it home safely, then message my sister Ivy about going shopping.

Ivy: I’m ready when you are! I have plans with some friends this weekend, but what about the next?

Hadleigh: Sounds great! Are you okay with Harper joining us?

Ivy: Yep! It would be fun to have her with us.