“Everyone was a dork when they were kids, Brock. I bedazzled the shit out of my backpack, decorated my pillow cases with puffy paint, and wore monochrome outfits. Don’t act like you were a normal, cool child. My guess is you weren’t.”
He shook his head, giving me a weird look. “Bedazzled your backpack? You? I can’t see that.”
“I told you. I went through a princess phase for a while. Then I discovered sports and dirt.”
“Well, I’m glad you aren’t in a princess phase anymore.” He laughed and stood up. “Want to head out?”
“What about the bill?” I searched, our waitress nowhere in sight. “We need to pay. Let’s go halvesies?”
“Already took care of it.”
“Brock!” I yelled, annoyed at him. “Come on, I hate that.”
“I told you I feed my interns. Can it.” He motioned for me to head to the door, and I did but with my arms crossed in defiance.
“I feel bad.”
“Don’t. I don’t mind, seriously.” He reached out with both his hands and placed them on my shoulders, giving them a light squeeze before releasing them. “Don’t make a fuss.”
I laughed. No one under the age of sixty used that expression. “Then promise me you’ll let me buy ice cream next time.”
“Sure.” We got into the car and sat in a comfortable silence that was built on trust. I wasn’t overanalyzing the quiet. It was peaceful. I was content, full, and tired. I leaned against the headrest, smiling with my eyes closed.
“Don’t fall asleep yet. We’re almost there,” he said softly above the car radio. “This weekend was exhausting.”
“Exhausting, yes. Fun, too.” I patted his arm as he pulled into the driveway. He turned off the car, and I waved him off. “Stay in the car. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Nonsense. Stay there.” He held up his fingers, giving me hisdon’t-mess-with-me-stare.I obeyed, waiting as he opened the door for me again that night. He held out a hand again, and my chest got a heavy, funny feeling in it.
We walked in sync with me up the path. “You didn’t have to walk me to my door, Brock.” I rolled my eyes, grabbing my keys from my pocket. “I appreciate it, but it was unnecessary.”
“You trip more than anyone I know. It really is a safety hazard. And, what are good friends for?”
“Right,” I said, the worst f-word to ever reach my ears. I put the keys into the door, sliding inside without touching him. I looked up into those deep blue eyes, and the air left my lungs. He was perfect. With a shaky voice, I mumbled, “Good night, Brock.”
“Have a good night, Grace. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He gave me a small, almost sad smile and walked down the stairs. I shut the door and slid down it like I would in a damn rom-com movie. The unfairness of my situation brought me to tears, but I sucked it up. Sure, I had grown massive, massive feelings for someone I couldn’t be with. That happened all the time, right?
“Girl, what the hell is wrong?” Gilly had a bottle of wine and wore pajamas but marched over to the door with a concerned look on her face. “Shit.”
“It’s nothing. Well, nothing I can do anything about,” I said but knew she’d see right through it. “Brock dropped me off. We got dinner.”
“Holy shit, you’re in love with him.” A smile formed on her cherry red lips.
I sighed, wide-eyed with my emotions swirling all over the place. “Give me some of that wine.”
“Fuck wine. We need something stronger. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in love.” She trailed off, walking into the kitchen to come back with two glasses and amber liquid.
“I’ve never been in love before,” I admitted, the unrequited feeling haunting my insides. “He’s my boss. He’s my friend. He’s made that clear.”
“I think it goes both ways. Look at how he reacted about the guy in the bar.”
“It’s because the guy put his hands on me, Gil.”
“It’s more. Patience. Give it time, G-spot.” She handed me a glass and joined me on the floor. “Good things come to those who wait.”
“Don’t quote some bullshit at me.” I leaned against her, downing the drink. “Let me pout.”
“Message received. Pout away.”
