In his mind, I am also a fucked-up player who gives in to temptation. Since when does not having a relationship mean you’re unable to have one? I just didn’t have the desire until her. However, that changed because I had never experienced anything like my feelings for Lilly.
After a long workout, Roman and I plant our asses on barstools at the sports bar and order two bottles of sparkling water.
He jerks his chin my way. “So, what was that speech?”
I roll my eyes theatrically. “He knows a woman was involved.”
A tsking noise rumbles in his throat. “Imagine if you revealed who that woman was.”
“She broke things off.”
His brows furrow. “You’re not even together.”
I drag a palm down my face. “My point exactly, man.”
He shifts in his chair, looking at me with a serious expression. “Take a step back and accept the non-platonic thing again.”
“Great advice, relationship expert,” I mumble, gulping down half of the water bottle.
“You want her.”
“Yes, but not as just a friend but as her damn man,” I groan.
What am I going to do?
He shrugs. “As I see it, you must compromise. Let her have her way until she realizes it’s more.”
It could take months. It was pure torture the first time. But after everything that transpired between us, it will be a hundred times worse. I rack my brain for a solution to this fucked up situation, but come up empty. Again, as kidnapping is out of the equation.
“From a one-night stand to friends to lovers to friends. It sounds complicated.”
I pin him with a glare. “Thanks for the reminder. What are friends for, huh?”
He grins, showing off his impeccable white teeth.
We stay a while, in companionable silence, each of us deep in thought.
As I drive back home, I go through various scenarios in my mind. I’ll put myself in her face until she can’t do anything but give in.Fabulous strategy.
I know her routine. When she goes to work, when she comes home from work and if she doesn’t bring me my daily shot, I’ll have to buy myself one from her shop.
Great, now I am entertaining the idea of becoming a stalker. Not sounding like a creep at all.
Oh no, this has just started. With renewed hope, I stride inside the elevator with a pep in my step and a grin splitting my face.
You want to be friends, Lilly? I’ll be the best friend you’ve ever had. You’ll beg me to make you mine already, baby.
I won’t give up without a fight. I won’t give up at all. Let mission “Get Your Girl Back” commence.
May
I step out of my apartment at the same time she leaves her own. I’ve been timing my departure to hers—she still hasn’t caught on yet.
Lilly sucks in a breath, barely acknowledging my presence, before locking her door and walking toward the elevator.
In the elevator, the air is stifling with the crackling tension, the taste of the forbidden lingering heavily between us. We could have used this time in a better way, like me backing her against the wall, kissing her senseless, and showing her how fucking mad I am about her. But it is what it is.
She steals glances at me, and my grin widens every time I catch her.
