Free Dirty Little Lies (Dirty Little #2) by Cassie Cross

about the money, and the gesture is sweet, but I can’t take him up on his offer. It’s a bad idea on pretty much every level. Instead of flat-out turning him down, I decide to go with another argument first.  
    “You’re a software engineer, not a web developer,” I say, as I slide the tines of my fork through a puddle of syrup, swiping it across my plate into what I think is a pretty elegant design. I need to do whatever I can to avoid the look in his eyes when he starts to convince me that I should let him do the work for me anyway.  
    “I can do both,” he says.  
    Yeah, I didn’t think that argument was going to work for me, but it was worth a try anyway. I take a deep breath, and give myself a moment to figure out a way to frame this argument that isn’t going to make him fight me against it more, and isn’t going to hurt his feelings.  
    “I…I would prefer to keep my business life and my personal life separate.” I’ve got a great team of developers that I have a great relationship with, and I don’t want to chance burning those bridges just so I can start relying on Ben for something that will be taken away if things don’t work out between us this go ‘round. I’m hoping this short answer is enough, so I won’t have to explain myself.  
    He nods reluctantly. “I get it. But if you ever need a quick fix and can’t get them on the phone for whatever reason, I’m always here for you.”  
    I can’t help but smile at him. “I know.” I believe him now, whether or not I should.  
    “So,” I say, because even though he relented, he still sounds disappointed, and I don’t like hearing that tone in his voice. Especially not when I’m the one who put it there. “This has been a pretty good date thus far.”  
    He gives me a thoughtful look. “I’m not sure that I want this to be a first date.”  
    I tilt my head. “What do you mean?”  
    Ben shrugs. “Even though we had a ton of shitty memories from our previous…”  
    “Tries?” I offer.  
    “Okay, tries. Even though we had some bad memories from those, we had some really good ones. Memories that I don’t want wiped away just because we’re trying to start over.”  
    Him admitting that gives me a warm feeling, and I can see where he’s coming from. It wasn’t all bad between us, we definitely had some good in there.  
    “Okay.” I smile.  
    “This is a good date though, no matter which number it is. I mean, I’m having a good time. I have you, I have pancakes. All I need.”  
    He’s excellent at this wooing stuff.  
    “I went all out for you, as you can see,” I say, motioning toward the mess that is my ensemble with an ironically elegant flourish. My hair is piled up on top of my head in the messiest bun imaginable, and I’m wearing an old pullover paired with yoga pants that have definitely seen better days. I don’t have any makeup on, but I do have the post-coital glow that only comes from orgasm after orgasm, so I’ve got that going for me, I guess.  
    Ben untangles his fingers from mine, then reaches over and cups my cheek with his hand. “You’re beautiful, and this is all I need.”  
    “You and me and breakfast food,” I tease, trying to cover up the way the soft touch of his hand makes me shiver. I place my hand over the back of his, then turn my head and kiss his palm.  
    I know he’s told me that things are different now, and he’s shown me glimpses of it for sure, but this feels different. Old Ben would have showered me with expensive things, would’ve taken me to the hippest restaurant in town (and he could’ve this time, he’s the co-owner of one of them). This—the two of us, uncomplicated—was all I ever wanted.  
    And now, here, I have it.  
    I’m happy .  
    “So, it’s been a while since we met, and I’m wondering if anything has changed.” With the way he’s grinning, I’m sure he’s playing with me, but I’m willing to play right back. “Tell me a little