Chapter 17

She tore her gaze from the book and finally looked up at me. “This is really, really thoughtful. I love it, thank you.” Her eyes were so soft and appreciative that it made my heart speed up.

“Yeah, no worries,” I mumbled. And now I’m mumbling too. I’m doing so well with this date so far!

Ashley took the book, brushing her fingers across the front cover, looking at me in awe as if I’d just bought her something remarkable instead of just a book.

I smiled weakly, shifting on my feet, trying to think of something to say that wouldn’t make me sound like a raving lunatic. When she looked at me like that I started longing for things, things I’d never really thought about before – things like the word girlfriend, and exclusive, and mine.

I was in real trouble with this girl. The player side of me that was just standing here wondering what colour underwear she had on, was terrified of this girl and the tender way she was looking at me. My player side was trying to force me