Chapter 48

Lila’s POV

“Shit,” I hissed, twisting off Rowan like my jeans were on fire and nearly face-planting onto the driveway. He lunged forward and caught me around the waist, setting me upright before I could embarrass myself beyond repair.

“What?” he asked, stepping into my personal space with that amused half-smile that always made my knees go jelly.

I jerked my head toward the open car door—empty now, but the remnants of us: half-zippered jackets, two tumblers rolling on the floor mats, and that abandoned make-out tennis match. “Your family saw us.”

Rowan’s eyebrows lifted like I’d just told him the world was ending. Then he shrugged. “They don’t care. If anything, they’ll high-five me. Everyone freaks out over a guy whose mate dumps him for friendship—and you actually climbed me like a smoldering jungle gym.”

I blinked at him. “Bullshit.”

He chuckled, eyes glinting. “I promise. They’ve all had their hearts broken by women who swore mateship w