So he answered her truthfully. “I’m uncomfortable with this whole situation. So it was meant to be a crack at myself, that no, it wasn’t love leaving my body whenever I was with Nikki but something else entirely.” And beyond that, he wasn’t spelling it out. He had a few gentlemanly tendencies instilled by his Southern mother, and he wasn’t saying “ejaculation” to a woman he barely knew.

“That’s what I thought,” she said. “But I wanted to confirm it.”

Ty laughed. “Why?”

Now she blushed. “Because I’m just incredibly curious all the time. I want to know everything about everything. I like clarity and I ask endless questions. I know it’s annoying. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have anything to apologize for. And I see curiosity as a sign of intelligence.”

She looked at him in surprise. “I think it is, too.” Then she blushed deeper. “Not that I’m calling myself intelligent. I mean, I’m not stupid but I’m no Einstein, that’s for sure.”

“I think you probably do alright,” he told her. “Given that you’re getting a graduate degree.” A thought had just occurred to him. “And you’re clearly smarter than me, because not only did the girlfriend I was planning to break up with make out with another guy in front of me, but she also left me stranded here.” For the first time since he’d ditched Nikki and escaped onto the porch, he felt real annoyance.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have my car here. Nikki picked me up, and she drove because she lives in the opposite direction from my place to here. So now I’ve got no way to get home.”

“I can drive you.”

“You don’t have to do that.” He didn’t want her to feel obligated, but he really did want her to. Not to mention he wanted to kiss her, dipping his tongue inside his mouth and running his hands all over her petite body. “I can get a cab.”

“Where do you live?”

“Mooresville.”

“Well, that’s on my way, then. It’s not a problem at all for me to drop you off.”

“Okay, thanks, Emma Jean. I appreciate it.” Ty smiled at her, slowly, enjoying the way her cheeks went pink and she broke eye contact. She was just as attracted to him as he was to her, and he was going to get his kiss before the night was over. A simple kiss wouldn’t break his newfound conviction to steer clear of casual sex for a while.

“Should we tell Tamara and Elec that we’re leaving? I hate to be rude.”

“Does it really matter?” he asked, thinking he didn’t really give a shit. He’d call Elec or text him on the way home.

“I just feel so terrible. Here I’ve been missing half the night . . . Elec knows I was outside with you. I’d hate for any rumors to get started. That’s not fair to you.”