Eliza’s confused as she takes in the colors, the pictures, and the sections I created after looking at other websites. I pride myself on doing a good job, but she’s frozen and silent.
“You don’t have to be a tech whiz to make one,” I backtrack.
I could have asked any of my junior developers to handle it, but I didn’t want people in the company to ask questions. If I were honest with myself, I wanted to give her something I made. Did I overstep, is it too much?
“You did this.”
I nod.
“For me?” she chokes out. The gratitude and disbelief burn in her eyes and the blood under my skin runs hotter.
She leaps and straddles me, grabbing my face. “The woman you decide to give the whole relationship thing a try with will be a very lucky lady.”
“It will be like winning the lottery,” I joke, because the way she sees me is staggering.
“A man who sticks around when I’m puking my guts out and remembers my favorite drinks. Phew. I’m sold!”
“Your standards are abysmal.”
She doesn’t bite. “You’re a kind man.”
Her words settle over me like a weighted blanket.
She holds my head steady so she can peer into my soul. “You put in time and effort because you think I have a shot.”
“You do.”
“This means a lot to me.” She leans in and my pulse is erratic, but she kisses the corner of my mouth.
I’m disappointed. And in awe of her.
This might be my new addiction. Seeing the light shine bright in Eliza’s eyes when her wishes come true. I turn into a fucking genie. Otherwise, I can’t explain why I make sure she has another girls’ night with Quinn. A safe and fun one.
I get them a table at an exclusive bar in the next town over with an open tab in my name. One of my security guys poses as a driver to escort them and keep them safe. I haven’t brought up the fact that my team is close by, and it’s a little too late now to spring it on her.
I wanted to smack my head against the wall after she left, looking excruciatingly beautiful. She was so happy, I pretended I didn’t wait up until her high heels click-clacked past my door.
The itch to go to her, touch her, let her tell me about her night was spiking under my skin. But I didn’t want her to think I expected something in return.
Chapter Twenty-Six
CARTER
“You’ve never met this uncle before?” Eliza asks me from the passenger seat.
“Nope.”
“He lives so close, isn’t that a weird coincidence?”
It might be one. If you didn’t know my mother. “Unlikely.”
“I’m worried. You’ve reverted to single-word answers.”
“Sorry. I don’t know what to expect.”
“And you brought me along as a human shield?”
“You’d make for a lousy one.” I laugh at her offended expression. “But you’d be perfect for distracting them.”
