Best Dating Rules, Tamie Dearen [literature books to read txt] 📗

determined expression, and pulled himself up before reaching to grab the yellow crimper. For a moment he had to hang from two fingers as he grabbed the next hold. He’d passed her up, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t help rooting for him—that’s what climbers did.

Charlie took a moment to admire the muscles flexing on his arms and back as he climbed. His foot found the hold on the corner, and he was effectively past the under-hang. Now his muscles were fatigued, and his whole body trembled as he continued the climb. He lunged for the top and fell back in relief. He rappelled down, while the blond girls clapped and cheered for him. Charlie moved back to join the others on the bench, leaving Josh to his fans. She almost laughed when he sought her out over the heads of the two girls who were giving animated praise to their hero.

“You lost,” said Emily. “What do you owe him?”

“I’m paying for his climbing. I’ll live with the ribbing—you can call it a date.”

“Okay, but you know I won’t let you live it down, right?”

“I can handle it. I’m going to pay, and then I’m ready to go.”

“Really? It’s early and it’s your last night in New York.”

Charlie looked over to where Josh was still attempting to extricate himself from the girls. “You can stay with Spencer, and I’ll go back and visit with Mom and Steven. When you come home, we’ll have hot chocolate chip cookies and milk.”

She stood up and dug in her purse for some money, which she handed to her sister. “Would you mind paying for me so I can slip out now?”

Emily screwed her lips sideways. “If that’s what you want, Sister.”

Josh watched Charlie as the two girls continued to ply him with questions. “Yeah, sure,” he answered absently.

“Cool. We’ll wait while you change clothes,” said the taller girl.

“Uhmm, what? What are you waiting for?”

“For you to change so we can go to the Lookout Club,” she answered, obviously frustrated at repeating herself.

“Oh. No. Sorry, I can’t. Excuse me.” He pushed past the girls, rushing to the bench.

“Where’s Charlie?”

“She left this to pay for your climbing and took off.” Emily held up a handful of money and pointed toward the exit with her eyes.

Josh saw Charlie disappearing through the door without a backward glance. He couldn’t believe it—she wasn’t even going to wait around to say goodbye. He couldn’t understand why it bothered him so much, but it did. It made him furious.

He ran toward the door and burst outside, spying Charlie as she moved to the limousine. She slid inside, but he caught the door before she could close it. Without a thought, he climbed into the back and sat beside her.

Her eyes were wide. Was that guilt? Remorse for running out on him?

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’ve come to collect. I won, fair and square.”

“I paid for your climbing. I left the money with Emily. And I’m not kissing you again.”

“You didn’t even stay to congratulate me,” he muttered.

“You were busy,” she pointed out. “I didn’t want to intrude on the fan club meeting. But, it was a nice climb. Well done.”

He searched her face, but she betrayed no emotion. What was she thinking? It was so frustrating. He absolutely couldn’t predict her thoughts or her actions.

“So you were just going to leave? Without even telling me?”

She groaned. “Josh. I’m not sure what you expect from me. We barely know each other. I’m leaving tomorrow for Colorado. And we obviously don’t think the same way about relationships.”

“How do you know that?”

“Really? I’ve seen you in action. You pick up girls all the time. You were going after my sister yesterday, until you switched gears and went after me. You picked up two extra tonight. And I don’t date at all. I think guys are great for carrying heavy gear and belaying me on my climbs. Otherwise, I don’t have much use for you.”

Josh stared at her, speechless. He’d never met a girl who aggravated him as much as this one. His life would be easier if he forgot all about her. And duller. Boring. What was it Charlie had said? Straight walls are easy and boring. I don’t do boring.

She cleared her throat, the noise snapping him back to the present. “If you don’t mind, get out of the car, so I can go home.”

“I can be useful.”

“What?”

“I can be useful for more than just carrying heavy gear and belaying your climbs, if you give me a chance.”

“Josh, you’re only interested in me for the fight, for the challenge. If I didn’t fight with you, you’d lose interest and move on to the next girl. You proved it when you switched your focus from my sister to me.”

He shook his head. “I know you don’t believe me, but that’s not true. I admit I was playing a game when I pursued your sister. But you’re different.” He watched her shaking her head. He was losing her.

“Please!” he said desperately. “I said I wanted to kiss you again, and I do. But what I want even more is for you to stay with me. Don’t go home yet. Come and hang out with me. Let me buy you dinner. We’ll all hang out together. Totally safe.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea—”

“It’s a date already. You paid for my climbing. It won’t hurt you. Just try it. If you don’t, we’ll never know. But what if you’re wrong? What if I could be good for you, and you gave up without even trying?”

He could see she was wavering. She pursed her lips, and he resisted the urge to lean over and kiss them. How strange. He’d never resisted an urge with a girl before. It felt awkward and uncomfortable. Maybe he should kiss her like he had the night before. But something told him if he did, she’d be gone from his life forever. It felt like that would leave an awful hole.