World's Worst Boyfriend: A Romantic Comedy Adventure (Fake It Book 3) by Carina Taylor (ebook reader online txt) 📗

into a supply closet? Thanks, but no thanks. I’m going home now. Get out of my way, Fletch.”

The strong smell of cleaning supplies burned my nostrils. Several large mops sat in buckets and looked like they’d seen a little too much use.

He kept a firm but gentle grip on my hips as he whispered, “So it’s still Fletch, huh?”

Shaking my head rapidly, I answered, “No, I meant Fletch-er. Er.”

I took a deep breath trying to calm my racing heart and tingling nerves. All I got was a breath full of bleach. “Can you please move out of the way so that I can leave?”

“I’ve been worried about you.” He sounded so sincere, and those puppy dog eyes were nearly more than I could resist. But I managed. “Why was Sullivan talking to you?”

“I don’t think that has anything to do with you anymore.” I folded my arms across my chest, but that meant I was touching Fletcher’s chest.

Fletcher worked his jaw back and forth as he pushed the brim of his baseball cap up. “He’s moving too fast. I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to like it, but if you don’t let me out of here, I’m going to scream so that this entire restaurant comes down on you.”

With a frustrated groan he stepped out of the way, even opening the door for me. I looked both ways to make sure the hall was empty before I stepped outside. Instead of walking toward the bathroom, my original destination, I turned back toward the main restaurant. I wanted to avoid being in a dark hallway with Fletcher any longer than necessary. My self-control wasn’t a well-used muscle concerning him.

As I approached the table, I realized the Zoe was out on the dance floor, and Bee had a man sitting very close to her. She definitely “couldn’t fit a Bible between them” as my mom liked to say.

I didn’t feel like sitting back down. I didn’t feel like listening to them tear Fletcher or me apart any longer. I wanted to go home. I wanted to know why Fletcher had been waiting in the hall for me. Had he been watching me? I wasn’t sure if I should be concerned or flattered that he was still that hung up on me.

The girls probably wouldn’t even miss me.

So, without a second thought, I weaved past the tables and made my way out to the parking lot.

Walking into the center of the lot, I glanced around for my car before I remembered that they had given me a ride that night.

“Missing something?”

I turned around to find Sullivan standing next to his SUV.

I laughed. “You always seem to be catching me when I’m having car trouble.”

Sullivan smiled and walked closer to me, his hands resting in his pockets. “What seems to be the problem this time?”

“I forgot that I didn’t bring my car.”

“That does seem to be a problem,” he agreed. “Luckily, I have room for two in mine. I can drop you off wherever you need to go.”

“I can’t ask you to do that again.”

“Please. It would be my pleasure.” He winked and held his hand out toward me, guiding me to the passenger side of his car. He opened the door and guided—pushed, really—me into the seat.

I told him my address again and he took a minute to enter it into his GPS, saying that he was horrible at remembering directions even if he’d been to a place before. The drive home was quick, my house was only about five minutes from the restaurant, but when he pulled into my driveway, he shut the car off.

“I’d like to walk you to the door, if that’s all right.”

I glanced at my dark house, then back at him with a raised eyebrow.

He chuckled. “I promise no ulterior motives, though if you were wanting me to have some, I’d be happy to oblige.”

He squeezed my hand. A cold sweat broke out at the base of my neck. I laughed nervously. Fletcher might have been a pain in the butt, but he’d never pressured me into anything. “Well, like I said earlier, I think I need some time to get over my ex. Besides, we have that Italian dinner first.”

Sullivan nodded, releasing my hand. “Of course. I’m looking forward to dinner, even if it’s only as a friend.”

I gave him a tight-lipped smile. “I appreciate that.” With that, I hopped out of the car and hurried up the sidewalk to my front door. I unlocked it and stepped inside.

I left the lights off as I watched Sullivan drive off into the distance.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. All the first-time jitters were worse than I remembered. That must have been the reason I was uncomfortable around him. I’d forgotten what it was like to have a man want to charm you.

I turned around to flick the lamp on in the living room.

And screamed.

There was a man sitting on my couch.

Chapter Fourteen

Saidy

“I figured since you didn’t like the supply closet, that you’d rather talk here,” Fletcher said after I stopped screaming. He looked incredibly comfortable sitting on my couch.

“Right after I kill you.” I stomped past him into the kitchen to make some tea. “Are you stalking me?”

“No!” He stood up and followed me. He pulled the blue light glasses from his face and set them on the counter. “I was meeting someone else there. I didn’t know you would be at the bar.”

“A likely story,” I muttered, pulling my eyes away from the muscles flexing on his forearms.

He leaned forward and planted a hand on the countertop. Those muscles were doing a happy dance again. “Who dropped you off just now?”

I ignored him and asked, “Where’s your car and how did you get into my house?”

“I asked you a question first.” His voice carried a note of authority he’d never used on me before—well, except that one time when I was cheating at game night. (Sue me. I