Rex
Hand rubbing over the tense muscles at the back of my neck, I paced, boots crunching on the gravel in front of her house.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Get it together, man.
Friends.
That was what Kale had said.
I could do that.
I forced my feet to carry me up the steps and across her porch, and I gave a good pound to her front door. It took all of thirty seconds and what felt like an eternity for the door to crack open. I almost backed the fuck out because all I saw was hesitation in her movements before something like relief took to her features.
“Rex,” she whispered, opening the door wider.
“Hey.”
A small smile graced that gorgeous mouth. “How is Frankie?”
Something about that calmed the erratic racing of my heart, and I felt myself smiling in return. “As good as new. It might have had something to do with a pot pie that mysteriously showed up at our door.”
A flush touched her cheeks, and she bit her bottom lip, everything about her completely genuine. “I hope she liked it.”
“Oh, there’s no question of that.”
That redness deepened. “I’m so glad she’s feeling better.”
“Me, too. Can’t thank you enough for helping me out that night.”
“I meant it, Rex. I’m here.”
I nodded, rushed my fingers through my hair, the air growing thick around us. A swirl of that potency.
“So...” I trailed off like the pathetic fucker I was.
“So...” she prodded, those dark eyes going warm and soft.
I sucked in a breath, fingers going back to nervously thread through my hair. “There’s this thing Broderick Wolfe invited me to tomorrow night at Olive’s. Just a small party to celebrate the progress that’s been made on the Fairmont Hotel. I know Lillith and Nikki will be there. Thought it’d be cool if you came. You know, as friends,” I added way too quickly.
Smooth.
So goddamned smooth.
I had to stop from rolling my eyes at myself.
“Friends?” she asked, a brow lifting, the word nothing but a doubtful tease. Couldn’t blame her, especially considering the last time I’d seen her, she was coming against my truck.
“Yeah,” I said, shoving my hands into my pockets. My tone turned deep with honesty. “Not sure I have a whole lot more to offer right now, Rynna.”
Silence pulsed around us. Thick with implication. With our reservations and all the things I didn’t know how to say.
She blinked back at me then finally spoke. “That sounds great. I’d love to go.”
