“Regardless, I’ve seen enough. Maybe we can just hang out until bed,” she says as she giggles.
“I’d like that. Want another drink?”
“Definitely.” She hands me her glass, and I stand to walk back into the kitchen as she begins to pick up the living room.
While I craft the drinks, I do my best to sort out all of the mixed signals and conflicted feelings I’m having, but it’s no use. My head is telling me I’m not good enough. My heart is so fucking gone for her that I feel pathetic. And my dick gets hard every time I see her.
Finishing the cocktails, I decide it’s best to listen to my head because it’s not about what I want. It’s about what she wants, and what’s best for her—and that’s not me.
The couch is put back together when I emerge from the kitchen. Sitting down next to her, I hand her one of the cocktails and then take a long pull from mine.
“So, where were we before we got interrupted?”
“I was promising to rescue you from any spiders that might find their way into the apartment.”
“That’s right. What am I ever going to do without you when you move out?” I chuckle.
“Oh, um, I’ve been meaning to mention that. I haven’t started looking for a new place, so I might be here a little longer than I initially planned.”
She doesn’t look at me when she says it, and hope expands in my chest. I mean, she keeps saying this is temporary, so I fully expected her to pull out a list of potential apartments when I asked that question, but she didn’t.
The almost kisses and the shared dances pop back into my head, and my heart rate quickens.
“You haven’t?” I ask, a little too excited.
Her eyes find mine, and I want so badly to know what she’s thinking.
She opens her mouth to say something but then sips her drink. Our eyes stay locked on each other, and then she clears her throat.
“I’ve just been busy,” she says. “So, I know I was hoping to be out in three months, but it might be closer to six.” She shrugs. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah, of course. You know you’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”
Busy. Of course it’s just because she’s busy.
She offers me a hesitant smile. “You want to watch TV? Just regular cable this time, though.”
“Sure,” I say, grabbing for the remote. “This okay?” I gesture toward the screen where a rerun ofThe Officeis playing.
“Perfect,” she says, setting her drink down and tucking her knees to her chest.
For the rest of the evening, we watch TV, and I wonder if a universe exists where I’m worthy of her choosing me.
CHAPTER 28: BEST FRIENDS…
TANNER
Today was weird. My dad called around ten this morning to cancel the meeting we were supposed to have. Apparently, golfing with a client was more pressing. He promised to call me after, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the whole situation.
Things have been going well the past few weeks since our dinner, but I don’t know. Something in his voice made my heart drop, and I haven’t been able to shake it all day.
Thank goodness Halloween is tonight, and I get to spend time with Wren and the rest of our friends. A group hangout sounds like just what the doctor ordered, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Closing the door behind me, I walk into the apartment. Dolly runs to greet me, and I bend down to scratch between her ears.
“Is your mama here?” I ask.
She lets out a loud meow then runs toward the kitchen, so I follow her.
