Just the thought has my chest tightening, but it’s a reality I accepted years ago, and I’d rather have her in my life in any capacity I can than lose her altogether.
The maître d’ glances up from where he’s checking the reservation book but must realize I know where I’m going because he doesn’t engage past a quick nod.
In a few more long strides, I’m dropping into the seat Nico vacated a few minutes ago and meeting her deep brown, very confused eyes.
“Colten? What are you doing here?” Lexi asks, carefully placing her glass back on the table. She presses her fingers to her flushed cheeks.
“I thought Ken could use some extra family time, and I needed to get out of that office. I don’t know how your brother does it,” I tell her honestly, but for obvious reasons leave out the fact I hadn’t been able to keep my distance after she sent that photo.
I know for a fact that’s the most of her face that she’s ever sent to someone online, and the possessive monster that so often tries to rear his ugly head has officially taken the driver’s seat.
She frowns and drops her gaze to the table in front of her. “He works too hard. I’m glad he has Riley now. Someone to come home to other than a cat that hates him.” But there’s a sadness in her tone that makes my chest ache for her.
I’m no stranger to loneliness, which makes it easy to spot, and the idea of Lexi feeling that makes it hard to breathe.
“How is Mr. Whiskers?” I ask.
A small smile tips up her lips. “He’s such a sweet boy. I know he gaslights the hell out of Cruz, but he’s been such good company the last couple of weeks.”
“Not loving living alone?”
She shakes her head. “Definitely not. It’s too quiet, especially with a housemate that sleeps twenty-two and a half hours a day and spends the rest of his time messing up Cruz’s desk.”
“You don’t stop him?” I chuckle.
“Why would I?” She smirks, taking a long drink of her wine. “You want one?”
I shake my head. “Not gonna drink when I’m about to have precious cargo in the car.”
She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the smile she hides behind her glass and the flush that moves down her delicate throat.
“How was your date? Nico is a good guy from what I know of him.”
Her shoulders drop ever so slightly, and if I hadn’t spent years studying her body language, I’d likely miss the move. “It was okay. We weren’t a romantic match, but he’s a nice guy.”
I nod, brushing my fingers over the layer of stubble I’ve allowed to grow in the last couple of months. “You were hoping to be one and done like Cruz?”
She sighs. “Not really. I was hesitant to sign up for the matchmaker at all, but I’m…I’m lonely. It took a lot to put myself out there, and for my first attempt at dating since college to be a bust, it’s a hit to my confidence, I guess.”
“Wildcat,” I murmur, and her eyes snap to mine immediately. “Just because you weren’t compatible with Nico doesn’t mean you’re not going to be with anyone. Did Nico come back as a perfect match with the matchmaker?” I know the answer, but I need her to be reminded of it so she doesn’t spiral.
“No.” She shakes her head. “Just a partial. And it was a low partial at that.”
“Exactly. The next one could be a perfect match, and now you’ve taken the first step, the next date should be easier.”
“When did you get so good at this?”
I chuckle but don’t respond, because the truth is, I loathe to think of the day Lexi finds her perfect match, because it’s bound to be the worst day of my life.
“When are you going to sign up for the matchmaker?”
“I’m not.”
She pouts. “Why not? Maybe if you were going through this with me, it wouldn’t feel so terrifying.”
I open my mouth to respond but quickly snap it shut again. How can I possibly say no to anything she asks when she looks at me like that?
Lexi De Luca is my kryptonite.
