“He would need to be bold enough to save you from Lawrence’s dastardly intentions.”
“But not be weirded out when he spends the whole weekend staring at the two of us, because you know that’s going to happen.”
I snickered. “Can you imagine the look on his face?”
We both imagined it. As we sat there, staring into each other’s eyes. We both felt the jolt of awareness passing between us. The thought of taunting Law, knowing how he felt… it was sinful, arrogant, and so far beyond tempting.
“I can think of someone like that,” I said lightly, needing to break the tension before I ended up with a pressing problem in my pants that would be difficult to hide. “He happens to be free this weekend.”
She smiled. “That helps.”
Straightening, I affected a smug tone. “Maybe you should go ahead and ask.”
With a laugh, she placed a hand over her heart. “Connor, will you come wi—”
“I’d love to.”
“Yay!” Standing from the high stool, she wrapped her arms around my neck, and we hugged it out. “I’m so glad you said yes. You have no idea how nervous I was about asking you.”
“Why?” I asked as she sat back down.
“Because we’ve never done anything like this before.” She tucked her hair behind her ears as she continued, “I wasn’t sure if you’d be open to it.”
“Not open to a weekend of partying with one of my best friends?” I pulled a face. “It’s free food, plenty of booze, and the chance to make Lawrence Miller pea green with envy. What’s not to love?” Gabi’s smile diminished as I spoke, until it morphed into a grimace. “Oh hell, what did I say wrong?”
“Nothing,” she blurted, but she failed to make eye contact as she said it.
My heart lurched. “Gabs, tell me.”
“I’m not actually asking you to join me as a friend, Connor,” she began, “and this isn’t about Lawrence. I mean, yes, it will drive him crazy and that tickles my fancy a little, but he’s not the reason I asked you to come with me.” Stopping to clear her throat, she rubbed her hands on her thighs.
Gabi had sweaty palms, because of me. What the hell?
“I want you to come as mydate,” she said, taking care to emphasise the last word. “As my real date.”
Her words clicked into place like a bulb being plugged into a socket. My insides lit up so hard it’s a wonder I didn’t blow a fuse.
“Would it be so strange?” she stammered in the face of my stunned silence. “I mean, I know it’s been a while since you dated a woman.” When she paused to lick her lips, I had to bite back a groan. “You have thought about it, haven’t you? About the possibility of you and me being more than friends?”
“Yes.” The word came out too fast. That one syllable giving away too much, or maybe just enough. Reaching out, I placed a hand on the back of her stool and leaned in, close enough for mingled breath and shared warmth. “You know, Gabi, if we go on a date—a real date—there could be touching involved, in ways we’ve never touched each other before.”
A shy smile curved her lips. “There could,” she murmured. “Maybe there could even be kissing.” Her gaze lowered to my mouth. “Have you ever thought about kissing me, Connor?”
Oh fuck, I had no chance now. The instant our lips touched I would be so far gone I’d never recover.
Sliding my left hand into the hair at the nape of her neck, I tilted my head to bring our mouths into alignment. “The word yes doesn’t even begin to cover the ways I’ve thought about kissing you.”
Her lips parted on a slight gasp that made me think she wanted to know the ways, every one of them, in great and meticulous detail. “Maybe we should try it,” she murmured, “and see what happens?”
My reply rushed over her lips in a whisper. “Best idea ever.”
The smashing of ceramic against the wooden floor made us both jump. Nearby, the barista gave a slow clap as one of the waiters bent to collect the remnants of a coffee cup, muttering curses under his breath.
Gabi and I looked from him to each other and burst out laughing. So much for our momentous first kiss. Dropping my head to her shoulder, I released a quiet groan of frustration.
“Damn,” she muttered, before brushing her lips against my forehead. “We should probably eat. I need to be at work soon.”
I lifted my head far enough to place my lips against the curve of her ear. “So you know,” I murmured in a low, growly voice, “I’m going to kiss the hell out of you on our date this weekend, and when I do, I’m going to make damned sure I show you how good more-than-friends can be. How does that sound?”
