My lips twitch as I climb the stairs to the fourth floor, not even thinking to use the elevator until I’m on the second-to-last landing.
Shaking my head with a rueful grin, I make it to the top, surprised by the spray of nerves ricocheting inside my chest. This is the fourth double date Dani and I have been on. I shouldn’t be nervous at all.
Although, this is the first one I’ve picked her up for.
I don’t even know why we arranged it this way, but here I am, knocking on her door like she’smydate tonight.
I wish she was.
The thought jolts me, and I shake my head, instantly pushing it back.
No, I don’t.
I’m here to meet that friend of a friend, and she’s gonna be great and…
Well, to be honest, I’ve barely been paying any attention to these girls Dani has been finding for me. I only said yes to take the pressure off her. I didn’t want her feeling like she was under a spotlight. This double-dating thing has been a casual, safer way of doing this “find her a man” plan, and I’m pretty sure it’s helped her relax. So I’m gonna keep on doing it, but how can I possibly entertain any serious notions with the girls she’s introducing me to when I’ll be leaving soon?
No, this whole thing has to be about Dani and finding her the right guy.
I’m surprised by how hard it’s been, but none of them are quite right. She’s either not feeling it or they’re not feeling it. I haven’t seen bright, powerful sparks flying around yet. Not the way they did with Atlas.
“Hey.” Tobin answers the door, grinning up at me like I’m a lollipop he wants to lick.
I guess I should take it as a compliment, but his open hunger is a little disconcerting, especially because he has a boyfriend… who is also eyeing me up the exact same way.
“Hi, Jed.” I wave at him, and he shakes his head in these slow swipes back and forth.
“It’s a travesty you’re not gay.”
I clear my throat and give him an awkward smile. “Your boyfriend’s right there, man.”
“Oh, and he adores me.” Tobin pats his chest. “But we just think you’re a full-blown hottie, and if you were gay, well, maybe we’d ask you to join the team, you know?”
He winks at me, and my smile gets a little tighter and more superficial.
Each to their own, you know? I’m not judging. I just know for myself that I’m a one-girl-at-a-time kinda guy. And if I was gay, I’m pretty sure I’d only have eyes for my man.
But I don’t think I’ll ever be gay.
And that is made abundantly clear to me the second Dani walks into the open living area and I’m struck dumb by the sight of her.
This hot flush travels through my body, an electric pulse that shorts out my brain.
All I can do is stare at her for a second, drink her in, because damn…
She’s wearing a blue dress tonight, like the color of the sky on a clear day. The straps are thin over her shoulders, and holy shit, she’s not wearing a bra. Her luscious boobs are tucked inside the gathered fabric, and then it comes in at the waist before flaring out to her knees.
She’s barely wearing any makeup, as far as I can tell, but she doesn’t need it. This girl glows without even trying, and I’m?—
“Ty, are you okay?” Dani frowns at me, obviously worried.
“Uh…” I blink and clear my throat. “Yeah. I’m… I… Good. I’m good.” I give her a thumbs-up, then internally cringe.A thumbs-up, really?
If she was my girl, I’d be dropping to my knees and telling her how damn sexy she looks. I’d be begging her not to go out, lifting her into my arms and taking her back into her bedroom so I could strip that dress off her body and?—
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.” I bob my head, nodding like a maniac while I try to get my logical brain back online. “You look great,” I manage to squeeze out.
