"Is that all right?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. "But Vinny's a big sports guy. He's going to know who you are."
"Oh, good. I'm hoping he'll be really impressed and tell you how great I am."
I wanted to reassure him that I knew exactly how great he was, but I didn't say that. I just let out a little laugh. "Are you seriously coming over tonight?"
"Yes. I would love to see you before Italy."
I knew this would lead to things between us, and I could have protested in that moment, but I didn't. I wasn't going to try to talk him out of it. I just answered with, "Okay, great, I'll see you at seven."
I had overbooked myself to get ready for my trip, and the hours until seven o'clock passed quickly. I finished my last customer five minutes early, and EJ was already waiting in the reception area when I walked her out.
I hadn't seen him in a week, and I was nervous and awkward when I was usually calm and cool with people.
He was standing in my salon.
I could hardly believe my eyes.
I had told him not to come back, and there he was, looking like a dream, wearing black slacks and a greyish-plum colored polo. It was professional athletic attire, and the shirt was embroidered with the name of his gym. His haircut was still fresh, and he was clean-shaven. He looked like a sight for sore eyes. I had done my best to put EJ out of my mind for the last week, and there he was, on my doorstep again, looking utterly unforgettable.
I gave him a hug, and it felt so nice. I pulled back quickly and took a look at him. "You look handsome in these clothes," I said. "Is this from your gym?" I reached out and touched his chest where the name of his gym was embroidered in a bold logo. I dropped my hand and looked at him, meeting his dark eyes. "I know it's from your gym," I said before he had time to answer. "And I like it. It looks good on you."
I lowered my gaze, staring at the floor. I needed to remember that I had to treat him like I alwayswould. I couldn’t let him see that my walls were crumbling.
"Thank you," he said. "I left straight from the gym in Milwaukee. This is the second time I've had to stop somewhere in Pittsburgh to buy a toothbrush."
I glanced at him, and he gave me the evidence of using that toothbrush. He had a white-toothed smile that caused my blood to turn warm. He had told me about his plans to drive home last time, so I knew it was the second time he had made on-the-spot plans to stay here. I didn't let myself think of the implications of that.
"I have no explanation for my behavior," he continued with a shrug. "They're going to get to know me at the hotel."
"Where are you staying?"
"The same place as last time—right down the street. I've already been there."
"When did you get to Pittsburgh?" I asked, feeling like I had just talked to him on the phone.
"I got here like two hours ago."
"How?" I said, confused.
"There were no flights that would get me here on time, so my dad called in a favor. He's got friends. We left Milwaukee right away, and there was a Tahoe waiting for me in Pittsburgh. I've been here for two hours, getting settled. I already made my stop to buy the extra clothes."
I didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry you had to wait," I said, since I was nervous and couldn't think of anything else.
"Don't be. You're five minutes early."
I glanced at the clock. "I am, aren't I?" I made a playfully thoughtful face. "Technically, I'm only three minutes early because I have two more minutes of cleaning to do back here."
Without giving it a second thought, I took his hand and pulled him along, pretending that I was really nonchalant, even though my heart was pounding. I let go of his hand as we walked because I knew he was following me. I wanted to keep hold of it, but I would never normally do that, so I dropped it.
Chapter 12
This whole situation with EJ Decker was like nothing I ever expected. Even as it was happening to me, I could appreciate the unlikelihood of it all. I couldn't understand how I had gotten myself there. It blew my mind that the boy I spent that summer with was showing up in my life again. He was there, at my work, basically unannounced, looking like a dream and going with me to game night. It was an added curve ball that he was famous enough that my friends would know of him.
I had to remind myself that we were just friends and nothing more was going to come from this. I had no idea why he was there. He might have been attracted to me—or he might just be intrigued because I told him that I couldn’t be in a relationship. I didn'tthinkI ever wanted to be in one again, but if anyone could make a girl doubt herself, it was this man. My friends were going to know who he was, and I had no idea how they would react to it.
