Last Gasp

“Even me?” He smirked.

I shrugged. “Depends.”

“On what?”

“If you had a flat tire or something, I’d give you a ride.”

He pursed his lips and moved closer. “But you wouldn’t do it out of the kindness of your heart?”

Frowning, I said, “You don’t need a ride, so who cares if I’d give you one or not?”

“I care,” he said softly.

My stomach fluttered oddly at his husky tone. Annoyed with my body’s reaction to him, I shrugged. “Fine. I’d give you a ride no matter what the reason. Satisfied? You can go now.”

But he didn’t go. Instead, he pushed his hands in his coat pockets and came even closer. His short dark hair whipped around in the wind, and I could smell the clean scent of his cologne. The half-obscured moon cast shadows over his features, and his eyes glittered. “Can I give you a word of advice, Kip?” he asked.

I studied him suspiciously. “About what?”

He hesitated. “About getting involved with your teacher.”

My face warmed. “I’m not involved with him.” One tepid kiss and a ride to a restaurant didn’t equal “involvement” to me. I still barely knew anything about Paul.

He chuffed. “Come on. I noticed the way he looks at you.”

“Nothing is going on. I’m not dating Mr. Wilcox,” I grumbled. “But even if I was, it’s none of your concern.”

“I don’t agree.”

I crossed my arms. “Why would any of this be your business?”

“Because Thomas is my best friend. I feel obligated to watch out for you.”

I rolled my eyes. “You don’t watch out for me. You nag me.”

He shrugged. “I can’t help how you interpret my actions.”

I sighed. “Look, surely you have more pressing things to worry about?”

He gave a tight smile. “What could be more important than watching out for my best buddy’s younger brother?”

“I don’t know, maybe the fact that the police found a body on the beach should concern you more? I’d imagine that would be all you could think about. Not my love life.”