Chapter 18

Allie, stung by hearing Dean was kissing another girl and by his lack of warning, dresses to the nines and goes to Malone’s determined to show him what he’s risking. She finds Dean with Penelope while their friends play pool, then pointedly flirts with attention from other men, trying to ignore her own jealousy and confusion about needing a boyfriend.

Dean follows Allie through the bar, irritated and possessive, while Penelope clings to him. Allie grows more upset, questioning whether she’s co-dependent and deciding to leave. She heads toward the restrooms but slips out the back door to avoid Dean; he follows her into the alley.

Outside, Allie accuses Dean of breaking his promise. Dean clarifies that Penelope tried to kiss him but he refused, insisting he keeps his word. When Allie still moves to end the fling without explanation, Dean pushes for honesty, noting his own jealousy over the men staring at her and arguing that jealousy doesn’t mean they’re in a relationship—only that their attraction is unresolved.

The confrontation escalates into a charged moment. Dean teases and touches Allie, proving their mutual desire. Despite being in public, Allie consents, and Dean takes her from behind in a quick, risky encounter that ends with both climaxing quickly, nearly discovered by passersby.

Afterward, as they compose themselves, Dean tells Allie, “We’re not done.” Allie admits she knows, tacitly abandoning her attempt to end the fling and acknowledging their heated connection despite her earlier doubts.