The Off Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville, #1)

by Sarah Adams

“Luce, I think you need some sleep.” No, I need to make out with Cooper.

I don’t want to go sit by Cooper because I wasn’t expecting the sexiest man alive to be joining us on this boating adventure today and therefore I have the legs of a woolly mammoth.

My cheeks are lava, and all I can do is blink and turn my gaze back down to my book, begging it to magically transport me into its world. Because in this one, I have no idea how to interact with a man who looks like that.

He’s all muscles and charisma, and right now, I’m 97% candy bars and MSG.

Studies show that reading a book actually increases serotonin in your brain and reduces stress.”

I’m not too stupid to know a woman like her comes along once in a lifetime, though, so I don’t plan on dragging my feet.

What do you do when you’re not in love with someone yet, but can feel the potential for it, but also can’t date her because she’s definitely commitment material and her brother might murder you? Friends.

Because now, no matter how hard I try to believe in myself, there’s still a voice that whispers, You don’t have anything to offer.

Lucy’s bringing me back, reminding me of old dreams I forgot I had, reminding me what it’s like to want to see someone day in and day out, to plan for the holidays together and have inside jokes no one else will get. I’m ready for all that again.

I have no idea, but I had visions of him driving this car with no shirt on and the back seat loaded down with groceries, and I was getting so hot and bothered I had to roll down the window. Do I need better fantasies?

Somehow, seeing him standing there in jeans, no shirt, and a backwards baseball cap, it felt downright dirty. I almost suggested he donate his body to science, because when they finally get the cloning thing figured out, he needs to be the one they replicate.

I’m surprised by how quickly acting like a dainty first date lady returns to me. Ha ha, why yes, Ethan, I am sophisticated and definitely did not eat a string cheese and fruit snacks on the way over here.

Cooper calls out to me one more time. “Luce.” I pause, and my skin flushes at hearing my nickname on his lips. “Be confident tonight and have fun. You’re an amazing woman, and he’s lucky to be out with you.” If that’s true, then why aren’t you out with me?

Because here’s the thing about people you admire speaking into your life: sometimes you trust their opinion of yourself more than your own. But just because they say it, doesn’t make it true, and I’m done letting him tell me who I am.

His hand flexes like the sexiest scene ever filmed (aka the Darcy hand flex from Pride and Prejudice…you know what I’m talking about)