Soon, I’d be giving gray Gary a run for his money in the boring department if I didn’t do something to change it.
Me: Nothing, just an inside joke. Hey, I’m tired. Maybe we can talk again soon.
Kayden: We will. I have to be up early for work anyway. Sweet dreams, beautiful.
My cheeks warmed with his words—beautiful. I’d been called beautiful before but usually not by a man I’d classify as out of my league. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I knew I was cute, but in that bookish, nerdy girl way without the thigh highs and sexy kitten heels.
Me: Night.
What the fuck did I just do?
A sexy man was flirting with me, and I ran away like a scared schoolgirl. So lame. I sighed as I relaxed into my cushy headboard, opened my book and began reading, but I pictured Kayden and his sparkling green eyes looking into mine as I read every dirty word.
* * *
Ihadn’t beenable to get Kayden off my mind. I’d wanted to message him since the moment I woke up, but I couldn’t find the nerve.
I checked him out, making sure he wasn’t a crazy person. When I didn’t find any red flags, I did the only thing I could to find out more about Kayden and hopefully get rid of the butterflies that filled my stomach every time I thought about him. I messaged Freddie.
Me: Hey, Freddie. Question for you—do you know Kayden Michaels?
Freddie: Yeah, we went to school together. Why?
I bit my nail, trying to think of how to answer this without it getting back to my brother. He’d throw a shit fit. I might be older and wiser—he’d debate that fact—but he still had the ability to send guys running for the hills for even looking in my direction.
Me: He sent me a friend request. I wanted to know if he was an asshole.
Freddie: Nah, kid. He’s a good guy. Did you talk to him?
Me: Not really, just wanted to make sure it’s okay to accept his friend request.
Freddie: Yeah, go for it. If he gives you any shit, you tell me and I’ll handle it.
Me: Always, Freddie. Thanks!
Freddie had given him the stamp of approval. I just needed to get the courage to send him a message. I turned the phone over in my hand, pacing back and forth like I was been possessed.
Kayden: Morning, Sophia. Sleep well?
Oh. My. Fucking. God.
Did he know I was stalking him? Did Freddie say something to him?
Concentrate on breathing…Inhale and exhale, slowly.
Me: Hey, yeah… I slept well, and you?
I should just crawl into a hole or bang my head against the wall because I couldn’t have sounded any more boring.
Kayden: Slept like a baby. What did you mean last night about being navy blue?
I twirled my hair around my finger and thought of a way to explain it without sounding like a deranged lunatic.
Me: Is navy blue an exciting color?
I rolled my eyes at my stupidity.Shit.I fidgeted, waiting for his response. I was a librarian and should have a way with words, but when it came to men, I lost all ability to speak and never sounded eloquent.
Kayden: Umm, not really.
