For what, I’m not sure.
"Oh, I’m so sorry—" I mumble, bringing my hand up to cover my eyes, but it doesn’t completely block my view. I can still see the silhouette of him, and oh God, what is happening?
"Close the door," he says, his voice firm, and I do just that, accidentally locking myself in the room with him.
"Shit."
Realizing my mistake, I use my free hand to fumble for the door handle, slightly opening it, while the other hand remains firmly over my eyes.
"Herring. Stop panicking and close the door. I spilled my coffee on my shirt as you knocked." He sighs once I’ve closed the door for the second time, hoping no one else can hear or see us.
"Can you please pass me the spare that I have hanging behind my door?" It’s more of a request than a question, but I do it anyway, eyes remaining firmly shut.
"Cassandra. Open your eyes."
Oh shit, he first named me.
He’s serious.
I don’t even know why I’m panicking like a teenage girl. Like I’ve never seen his bare chest before. Like we didn’t just go swimming in the creek, where I practically dry humped him.
Wait, we were in the water.
Wet humped?
I don’t even know.
Plus, the memory of him half-naked is probably going to be burned into my brain forever.
It’s a beautiful sight, and I could think of worse things to be etched into my memory forever, but it still doesn’t make me feel any less…awkward.
Peeling my eyes open one at a time, the look on his face rips the air straight out of my lungs.
His clenched jaw ticks, his piercing, emerald eyes stare into mine and, damnit, here are those butterflies again.
He’s your friend, you agreed on friends.
You. Told. Him. Friends.
No matter how many times I remind myself, it doesn’t lessen the attraction I feel toward him.
But it’s totally normal to have hot friends that you’re attracted to, right?
Right?
I don’t know what it feels like to even have male friends. I wasn’t really allowed to have any. I spent most of my time in college studying, at home with Jenna, or with Austin and his friends.
Jenna and I snuck out to a frat party once, and Austin gave me the silent treatment for almost a week.
The guy was a walking red flag, but I knew nothing different. I thought he wanted me like no one else did,and I was blinded by that.
"I’m just here to make sure you’re ready for our flight this afternoon." I scramble, trying not to stutter, all the while refusing to break eye contact with him as he buttons up his crisp, new white shirt.
"All packed and ready to go." He nods to his black duffle bag in the corner of his office while adjusting his collar before wrapping his tie around his neck.
"Could you help me with this?" he asks after his third attempt. I’ve been watching him try to do it, but he seems kind of clueless.
"Uh-yes sure." Clearing my throat, I close the gap between us quickly, wiping my clammy hands on my skirt before I begin focusing on the task at hand.
