Maddy coughs, nearly choking on her tea. “What is wrong with you?” But she’s smiling now. “Seriously, you’re so weird.”
I shrug, my heart skipping a beat at the twinkle in her beautiful eyes. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. I think it just keeps things exciting.”
The salad arrives, and we both attack it like we haven’t eaten in weeks. Between bites, she relaxes enough to ask, “So… you’re not worried about… anything? Me being with both of you?”
I shrug, finding it adorable that she’s struggling with her words. “No. I think you should be with someone who makes you happy. I’m not really the jealous type. I’ve never shared a woman, but… I’m notagainstthe idea.”It turns me on.
But I leave that part out.
“Hmm,” she forks up more of the salad and shoves it in her mouth.
“You’re not going to get grief about it from me,” I say, leaning back in my seat. “It won’t affect work, unless it does for you.”
Maddy’s expression is unreadable. “I don’t know.”
“Okay, then you take the time you need to think about it.” I push away the little dose of disappointment that comes with that. “I’m never going to be the kind of guy that pushes your boundaries.”
“What made you so nice?” she asks, and for a minute, I consider opening up about the heartbreak I experienced and overcame with my first and only serious girlfriend.
But I opt to keep that one close to the vest.
“I guess I’ve just learned it’s easier to be easy-going. I like people to be happy.” I clear my throat as the rest of our lunch is set on the table, and we spend the next thirty minutes digging in, talking only about the restaurant, rather than the weird situationship we’re suddenly in.
On the walk back, I don’t hold her hand like I want to, clearly noticing that she’s putting some distance between us. It makes me wonder.Maybe she likes Adrian more?
Ouch. That thought hurts.And even more of a reason to be cautious.
We slow down as we reach the office building, and she turns to me. “Thank you,” Maddy breathes out. “For the food. And for the rescue. I probably owe you now.”
“Just pay it forward,” I chuckle, choosing to play it safe and not tell her I just want another night in the hot tub. “Next time you see someone getting chewed out, slip them a shot of whiskey in their coffee or something.”
She laughs, and I feel a weird ache in my chest. When she looks away to tuck her hair behind her ear, I want to do it for her. I just want to fucking touch her.
Damn, why is she so magnetic?It’s not even surprising that Adrian is so into her, too.
I open the lobby door for Maddy, and she does a little curtsy, then punches the elevator button. I laugh, but my chest isactually kind of aching at this whole situation, and the fact that I can’t tell what Maddy wants.
The ride up to our floor is quiet. Not awkward, just… thick with stuff unsaid. We stand a little too close. I can feel the heat off her arm, and if I moved even an inch, my hand would brush hers.
I should just ask her how she feels about me.
And I almost do it. I even turn to her, my lips parting, but then I stop myself. Instead, I stuff my hands in my pockets, roll my shoulders, and say, “Well, back to the grind.”
Maddy gives me a look—a long, evaluating one—and I can’t tell if she’s about to kiss me or punch me. “See you later,” she says, and when the elevator dings, she’s already halfway down the hall before the door slides all the way open.
I watch her go. And I realize, with a little jolt, that I’m not fucking playing around anymore.
I want her.
But wanting means giving a shit. And giving a shit means you’re gonna get wrecked every time.
Still… I don’t know if I can slow this down.
As I make my way back to my office, Adrian’s in his, bent over his laptop. He glances up as I walk by, eyes narrowed and jaw set with anger. I salute him, grinning.
He looks away.
When I reach my own computer, there’s an email from him in my inbox, and I cock a brow at the subject line.
