Things flowed easily between us before, but we were lovers—not anything else. But because I’ve removed sex from the equation, because we aren’t even kissing anymore, he’s become more than that. He’s becoming a friend, possibly my best friend, and it changes everything. Knowing we’re this compatible outside of the bedroom is incredible. Somehow, this is proof that when our respective libidos dip after a while, we’ll still be like this, still obsessed with one another. I genuinely like him as a person, and even if we never have sex again, I’d want to keep seeing him, keep spending time with him, and keep joking around.
I still very much want to put slex back on the table, though. That will definitely happen on Saturday, even if he insists there are no expectations on his end.
“So, about that date,” I casually start. “Can we make it Friday instead?”
He chews, swallows, and says, “Impatient, are we?”
“It’s just so it’s over with,” I tease back.
“I’d love to take you out on Friday, but I have dinner plans with Kev and a friend.”
“Oh, I see …”
My disappointment must be evident because he feels compelled to add, “I’d cancel, but she’s just back in town, and—”
“She?” I impulsively repeat.
Oh my God, shut the fuck up, you moron…
As if he realizes the moment just got serious, Lex puts his burger down and wipes his mouth with a paper towel. “Evora is an old friend we grew up with and with whom I have practically lost all contact. She lives in LA but is returning to Seattle for a few months to manage some of her family’s assets.”
“Ah, so she’s one of your rich friends…”
“Everyone in my life is rich, Andrea. You’re the only poor person I keep around.”
I frown, mindlessly stirring my bibimbap with my chopsticks. “I’m not poor,” I counter with a pout.
“From my point of view, you are. Now, as I was saying, I’d cancel that dinner, but I can’t. Plus, I’ve already started working on our date plans.”
He definitely knows how to handle me a little too well because I discard everything else and excitedly ask, “You have?”
“Yes.”
I hold back an excited squirm. “And? Where are you taking me?”
“Woman, has no one ever taught you that curiosity killed the cat?”
“Yeah, but I also know satisfaction brought it back.”
His gray eyes linger on me for a while, clearly enjoying this little banter, until he picks up his burger again. “I’m not telling you, Andrea.”
I sigh, aware I won’t get it out of him. “Can I at least know the kind of clothes I’ll need? Should I dress fancy or casually? Do I need a swimsuit? Are you Pretty Womaning me, and do I need to buy an opera dress?”
That earns me a low chuckle as he swallows his mouthful. “No need to be all fancy. Just come as you are.”
“Are you implying I’m not fancy?”
His judgy eyebrow rises, and his eyes look me up and down. “Who are you trying to deceive here? I’ve seen you in your natural habitat, Andrea.”
I pinch my lips together, holding back a smile so I won’t encourage his teasing. “Fair.”
Although I try, he doesn’t give me an inch, and I still have no idea what he’s planning by the time we leave the canteen. An impulsive idea strikes me as we pass a row of basketball courts on our way to the car. After a quick check around us, I grab his arm and lead him to a court’s gate.
“What’s happening?” he wonders as we step in.
Balls are neatly organized in a rack by the side of the court, so I walk to them. I remove my coat, lay it over the rack, as well as my lanyard with my visitor badge, and grab a ball. “You are wooing me with your basketball skills, baby.”
Lex looks unimpressed and a little skeptical. But when I send him the ball, he grabs it with a trained hand. After a short moment of reflection, he walks to the rack to remove his suit jacket, folds it in half, and lays it next to my coat. He also undoes his tie and opens a button before returning with the ball.
