10
Iwas shocked by the suddenness of the kiss and surprised by how passionate it was, though it remained chaste. I heard whispers and murmurs. I was at work in front of my coworkers. I pushed him away with a shove. He released me from his grip, and I frowned at him.
“What the hell was that?”
“I can’t believe it’s you,” he said, eyes roving all over my face. “Guess I don’t have to wait until summer is over.”
Wait until summer was over? There was only one person I knew who had told me something like that.
“Cornelius, why did you—”
Then it hit me. Saying his name out loud triggered something. I repeated it inside my head, slowly sounding out every syllable. Cor-ne-li-us.
“…Neil?”
“Ailey.” He broke out into a big grin. “I’ve wanted to meet you for months.”
My heartbeat sped up and I couldn’t help the reciprocal grin that erupted on my face. “Oh my god, Neil! It’s you!”
He pulled me toward him, for a hug this time, not a kiss. I squeezed him tight like I was greeting a long lost friend. In a way, I was. He released me after a few moments, standing back to look me over.
“How did I not realize it was you?” he asked.
“Neither of us were particularly forthcoming about our real identities.” I let out a small laugh. “Can you imagine if we had worked side by side all summer and then showed up for that drink in September?”
He laughed along with me. “Guess it’s better we found out early.” He gave me a sheepish grin and glanced around. All the other crew members had stopped what they were doing to stare. As soon as they realized we had noticed, they all hurried back to their jobs, pretending to ignore us. There were definitely a few whispered conversations.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you out of the blue in front of everyone like that.”
“It probably wasn’t the best timing.” I ducked my head to hide the blush.
His phone pinged, and he grimaced. “Better get back to work. Do you think someday soon, when I’m not too busy, we could get together and I could buy you that drink?”
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. “I’d like that.”
Neil gave me a grin and a final hug. “Okay. Great. Can’t wait.”
“Me, too.”
I watched him walk away, taking notice of the details I hadn’t before, applying them to the Neil I knew online. The way his light brown hair stuck up in every direction, an artfully coiffed mess. The way he strode with a purpose, no-nonsense and straight toward his goal. I also couldn’t help but notice that firm ass covered by his expertly tailored slacks.
I lowered my gaze before anyone caught me staring. I turned around and headed toward the stage.
My heart leaped into my throat.
Jayce.
He was standing right in front of me, at the far end of the hallway. I had no idea how long he’d been there. How much had he seen?
My face flushed with embarrassment. He must have seen Neil kiss me. He must have thought the worst of me. Did he think I was the kind of girl who went around sleeping with any guy who crossed her path? I opened my mouth to explain, but nothing came out. How could I explain it? I’d just kissed another man in front of him. I wanted to sink into the floor.
No.
That wasn’t right.
I shouldn’t feel ashamed for what just happened.
Jayce and I weren’t together. We’d both agreed that it would never work between us. We’d had our fun, but it was over. It could never happen again. I was free to kiss and date and sleep with whomever I chose. Jayce must know that.
