The Ex by Freida McFadden(17)

Then it started to become a dangerous habit. Every time an attractive man would approach her, she’d think back to Harry and all the other unsatisfying and often miserable relationships she’d had. And she’d shake her head no. She preferred to focus on her business and enjoy having fun with her friends.

But now it’s bordering on too long. There are times when she aches for another person’s touch so badly, she can barely sleep. Other days, she doesn’t miss it. Right now, she can’t think about anything but the way Joel’s hand felt on her arm. She knows she won’t be able to go to sleep tonight if they don’t share a kiss.

“Do you want to share a cab home?” Joel suggests after she inadvertently lets out a yawn.

Her heart skips a beat. “To… my home?”

One corner of his lips lifts. “We get one cab, they drop you off first, then they drop me off.”

“Oh.” She isn’t sure if she’s relieved or disappointed. She’s glad at least that he’s being a gentleman and not pushing to come over after only one date. “Okay.”

Except it turns out he lives in the opposite direction to her. He puzzles it out for a moment, and finally declares, “I’ll get you a cab, and I’ll find one of my own.”

“That’s okay,” she says quickly. “I’ll take the subway.”

“Don’t even joke about that,” he says. “I’m not letting you take the subway home all alone at night.”

“It’s not that late.”

“Yes, it is.”

Cassie looks down at her watch and… wow, it is rather late. Were they really talking together at the restaurant that long? But still. It’s Friday night. The subway won’t be deserted.

“I’ll get you a cab,” he says again.

“Listen, buddy.” She pokes him gently in the chest. “I take the subway home from here every single night. It’s Friday night—there will be plenty of people on the subway. I’ll be fine.” She tugs at the hood of her sweatshirt. “I’ve even got my warm hoodie.”

“Yeah, but—”

“No buts.” She raises an eyebrow. “I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself. Do you respect that?”

He looks at her for a moment before his face splits into a grin. “Yeah, I respect that.”

“Good.” She returns the smile. “Because I’d hate to deprive you of a good night kiss.”

The smile fades from his face. “I’d hate that too. Am I still in the running?”

She nods. “I think you are.”

“Well, good.”

He gazes at her with those vivid eyes and she shivers, even under her hoodie. He leans in, she tilts her face toward him, and it turns out six inches taller than her is the perfect height for kissing. His lips linger less than an inch away from hers for a fraction of a second and she’s the one who bridges the gap, pressing her lips against his. His breath is warm and her entire body melts against him as they engage in a good night kiss she never wants to end.

Maybe she should invite him over after all.

But no. There will be plenty of time for that. No need to rush.

When they finally part, Cassie notices she’s breathing hard. And Joel seems equally breathless. It takes her a moment to remember where she is and why she’s here.

“Could I…” She can hear Joel swallow. “Walk you to the subway?”

He’s itching to get her into a cab, but she’s not going to give in. She stood her ground, and she meant what she said. She takes this exact subway home every night. It will be fine.

Joel walks her to the subway station. One block away from the station, he reaches out and takes her hand in his. Her heart leaps when he does that. It’s been so long since she’s held hands with a man. Too long. And far longer since she’s held hands with a man she really liked.

She wonders if the last person whose hand he held was Francesca.

He kisses her one final time before she sinks into the subway station. The kiss is not at all tarnished by the scent of urine that seems to cling to every subway station in the city. It takes all her willpower to send him on his way.

While her body jolts with each bump on the subway ride downtown to her apartment, Cassie replays the kiss in her head. She closes her eyes and relives it over and over. Every time, she gets that leap of excitement in her chest. She can’t wait to see him again. He promised he’d call tomorrow, and she’s certain he will keep that promise. Maybe Joel really will be her Heathcliff. Her Marv.

Cassie has ridden this subway hundreds of times, but it’s usually several hours earlier than this. She hates to admit that it isn’t as crowded as she thought it would be. As she’d like it to be. She glances around the subway car at the other occupants. A homeless man in a ratty coat sprawled across four seats in a restless sleep. Three teenage boys at the far end, talking smack about some girl. And at the other end, an attractive woman in her thirties with long, dark hair.

There’s nothing specifically threatening in this car, but Cassie hugs her purse to her chest, willing the train to move faster. It occurs to her now that she left the rose Joel bought her on the seat in the sushi bar. Well, it’s too late to get it now.

The boys stand up as the train grinds to a halt. They get out at the door next to Cassie, and one of them leers at her just before they get off the train. “Wanna join us, baby?” he asks.