Of course, he had done this in the past. And it had broken my brain for a few weeks after it happened every time. And now I had the extra distraction of knowing exactly what it was like to have him kiss me. I mean, he hadn’t meant it, but it still mattered—changing things.

He opened the passenger door and shut it as soon as my legs were clear.

When he put the car in reverse, he slung his arm around my seat to get a better look behind him. He was so close I could see how immaculate his eyebrows were. He clearly plucked them into the flattering shape.

I felt the loss of the comfort of his arm when he switched gears and had us going forward. Every little thing this man did, I analyzed how it related to me. It was too much. It was okay to be a boy crazy teenager, but at twenty to be swooning over an almost touch was overkill.

It was hard to stop it, though. He was acting like a boyfriend and accompanying me. I knew he could have hung out with Gaze, Milt, Ruffian, and the gamer crew setting up decorations in the trees, but he picked taking me to the party store. I was an expert at reading too much into things when it came to Austin.

Teenage Taylor would have shined her braces in the drop down mirror and tried to get Austin to play some romantic music. Teenage Taylor was hopeless for this man. He was perfect for her, to her.

But having seen how Austin struggled with Endgame, I knew his life wasn’t all perfect and drama-free.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Austin leaned into the right-hand turn at the very end of a yellow light.

“Nothing. Just making sure I keep the notes in my head.” I tapped my temple with my index finger.

“Balloons and paper stuff? How many times are you reviewing that information?” He gave me a teasing smile.

“Listen, wise ass, it occurred to me that I didn’t have a gift for Mike, and there is a craft store next to the party store. Maybe I can make something that would be appropriate.” I stuffed my hands under my legs so I wouldn’t pick at the polish anymore.

“It’s fine. I can take you wherever you want to go, princess pants.” He leaned over and tapped my leg. I felt the nerves shoot up right between my legs like a lightning bolt. This man’s touch. I swear on all things good and holy, everything he did seemed sexually attractive.

He tapped the screen on his car and cued up a song. Crap. Now I was going to have a new favorite song.

I looked out the window so I'd stop stealing peeks at him. We motored for a few more miles, and then Austin had to drive down the road that ran behind my house.