“And you think it’s worth choosing your writing over him?”
I let my gaze slide down to the display, straightening a copy ofThe Great Gatsby. “It’s the whole reason I came to the city. And this is a huge opportunity for me. I still can’t believe that I’m going to get my writing published on Bliss Edition, and that I could even become one of their writers. It’s crazy.”
“It’s great,” Geoff says with a grin. “And I’m not at all surprised. You’re a fantastic writer.”
“Aw, thanks.” I pause, wondering if I should tell him about my romance novel. He saw me borrow those books a while back, so I’m sure he won’t be surprised. “I’ve also been working on a romance novel, just for myself. It’s fun.”
Geoff’s grin widens. “I bet.”
“Yeah. I had to do something with all the—” I break off with a vague gesture, looking at my boss’s expectant face. He might be my boss, but I’ve come to see Geoff more as a friend. No reason to censor myself. “Repressed sexual energy,” I say at last.
Geoff’s biting his lip to keep from snickering. “Wow. So youreallylike Michael.”
I nod, feeling my smile waver. I do. And while I wantsomuch more than to be friends with him, I’m also trying to make my peace with things as they stand.
“I think you should just go for it,” Geoff says, placing a copy ofWar and Peaceunder my name on the Staff Picks list. I roll my eyes and reach for it, placingFifty Shades of Greythere instead.
“Geoff, are you not listening to me? Ican’t. The chance to write this column is important to me and that’s what the whole bloody thing is about: being single and loving it.”
Geoff eyes me. “And are you loving it?”
I shrug.
“I see.” He’s quiet for a moment. “Well, surely you can just be friends with him? If you can manage that,” he adds with an exaggerated wink.
“I think I can. At least, I want to try.” And I’ve been mulling this over. Surely one of the things about being single is having platonic relationships with the opposite sex, including dealing with the intense urge to jump into bed with them when it’s a bad idea. This is an issue I could explore in my writing. I tell Geoff my thoughts and he nods in agreement.
“Yes. I think you’re right. So really,” he says, a wicked grin spreading across his face, “you’re going tohaveto spend time with him, for research. Your writing depends on it.”
I giggle. “I don’t think I have a choice.”
Geoff picks up a duster and starts working around the front display. “Hey, what are you doing for New Year’s Eve?”
“I have no idea.”
“Maybe we should throw a party.”
“What, here?” I glance around the store.
“No. We could hire a bar.”
“It’s like two weeks away! Everything will be booked. Plus it would cost a fortune.”
He adjusts his glasses, considering this. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“We could have the party at our place,” I suggest, and his face brightens. “I’d have to ask Cat, though. And it might not work, because there are other people in our building.”
Geoff’s eyes glint with mischief. “Perhaps theother peoplein the building should be invited.”
“You mean Michael?” I say wryly.
He gives an innocent shrug, as if the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. “Well, you know,” he says, focusing his attention on the display in front of him, “if Michael is there, and you are there, and neither of you have someone to kiss at midnight…” He wiggles his eyebrows playfully and a laugh bubbles in my chest.
Fuck, that sounds delicious, but what a disastrous idea that would be. I’m quite certain that if I let myself kiss Michael, I wouldn’t be able to stop. I’d be tearing his clothes off and dragging him into bed to give him the happiest fucking new year of his life.
Still, a New Year’s Eve party does sound fun—a lot more fun than spending the night at home alone.
“Fine,” I relent. “I’ll ask Cat.”
