Garrett gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s unlikely, but I have to consider all possibilities. Something I learned on the job is to trust my instincts. If someone or something feels wrong or scary to you, it probably is. I know people in your life may have made you doubt yourself and your instincts, but for me, they’ve saved my ass and my life on plenty of occasions.”
Reese didn’t know what to say to that. She wasn’t a Texas Ranger, and the only trustworthy instincts she had were the ones she avoided like the plague. Looking into someone’s eyes never told her anything other than how they were going to die. It certainly wouldn’t help Garrett with his case. “Please don’t ask me to quit my job on a hunch.” She loved spending most of her time with Garrett and living in his house, but after finally coming out of her shell, being cooped up for days on end would drive her to madness.
He glanced at her and sighed. “I won’t. But will you do something for me?”
She’d do just about anything for this man, and he never had to ask twice.
“If you see that other guy again in the school or anywhere else, I want you to tell me immediately. Call me if we’re not together or if we are, make sure I see him.”
“Okay,” Reese readily agreed.
“I’m not done,” Garrett said. “I also want you to stay out of Ryker’s office, especially alone. If he insists on meeting you, let me know, and I’ll make sure to be close by.”
That seemed a little more alpha male overprotective Texas Ranger than necessary. “I highly doubt Principal Ryker would actually hurt me, Garrett. He’s the principal.”
“I don’t care if he’s the pope. After what you saw and how that supposedly innocent conversation made you feel, I don’t want you anywhere near him. If you insist on keeping your job, please just stay away from him and his office unless I’m there with you, or at least within shouting distance. Okay?”
Reese considered his words for a long moment. He was overreacting, but the conversation between Ryker and that other man had made her uncomfortable. “Okay,” she finally said. “Only because I don’t intend to be in his office again any time soon. If I need to communicate with him, I’ll resort to email or a simple phone call.”
“Good,” Garrett said. “And thank you. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
“I know,” Reese said, and she did. “So, are you ever going to tell me where you’re taking me?” They’d been on the highway for almost forty-five minutes now and she still had no idea where they were going.
“I thought you could use a little break from having to avoid eye contact without needing to be alone, so when I found out about this event, I thought it would be the perfect idea for our first official date.”
Reese’s heart leaped into her throat as she carefully eyed Garrett. “Date? So, we’re really doing this? We’re more than friends with fun benefits?” The question slipped out before she’d given it much thought, but she just had to know. Sure, they’d kissed and made out, and slept in the same bed, but in this day and age, that didn’t necessarily mean much.
“Reese. You and I are a lot of things, but we’ve been more than friends since the moment you pressed your lips to mine, and I knew I never wanted you to stop.”
When she was quiet for a long moment, really just basking in his words, he took a second to glance over at her. “Is that okay with you? Being more than friends with me?”
Reese nodded. “It’s more than okay. I like you, Garrett. A lot.”
“Good. Because I like you, too. A lot.”
Reese hadn’t been on a date in years, and the last one she had gone on turned into a complete disaster after the guy she was with asked if she was mentally retarded when she refused to look him in the eye. She didn’t know what to say, and feeling embarrassed, she’d simply walked out of the restaurant. When he called her the next day, she ghosted him and never thought about him again, until right now.
“Whatever you’re thinking about, stop it,” Garrett said, pulling Reese from her thoughts. “I can tell when you go somewhere that’s not here, and I don’t like it.”
Reese smiled. “You know me too well.”
“I’ve had you in my life for over two months, spent most of the last month with you, either at work or at home, and we’ve been kissing and making out now for weeks. So, yes, Reese, I know you pretty well, but I wouldn’t say I know you too well, or else I’d know what you were thinking about just now.”
“Patrick Huell.”
“Do I even want to know who that is?”
Reese smiled. Garrett had the uncanny ability to make her smile at the strangest moments and she kind of loved it. He made her feel so at ease, so free and safe at the same time. It was like the load she’d been carrying her entire life simply vanished when he was around. The feeling was almost euphoric.
“Reese?” Garrett asked. “Did you just go somewhere again? Am I boring you?” His cheeky grin mirrored the teasing tone of his voice.
“Patrick Huell was the last guy I went on a date with and it was terrible. And no, you’re not boring me. You’re the least boring person I know.”
Garrett sat up a little straighter with mock pride as he raised his chin. “Am I now?”
Reese laughed. “There, I answered your question, now are you going to answer mine? Where are you taking me? We’ve been driving for almost an hour and the traffic was terrible. I don’t mind, but are you sure it’s worth it?”
“There,” Garrett said, pointing to a large sign on the side of the road. Reese turned and read the marquee: Night Lights: Sky Lantern Festival.