Casually, of course.
Or not.
It’ll depend on where we are.
It’s not like I tried to hide my want for her, though. I told the entire cast and crew on day one that she was mine. Whether I meant it or not, no one has to know.
Shewas the one who invited me over for dinner, then proceeded to kiss me in front of everyone.
Well…sheletme kiss her, but it felt like the right thing to do.
They just assume she’s keeping her distance to make our time at work strictly professional, unaware of the underlying tension that simmers between us.
Harley sticks out his free hand, and I shake it as he introduces me to the woman by his side. “This is Cassandra Wingrove, my wife.” His smile is wide and genuine while he looks at her with hearts in his eyes. “Herring, this is Cole Green.”
“Hi, Cassandra. It’s nice to meet you.” I hold my hand out, and she gently shakes it, her big hazel eyes averting from her husband to her best friend, and finally to me.
“Likewise, Cole.” She gives me a lopsided, shy smile with a quick nod, before she nudges the blonde beside her, who stubbornly keeps her back to me. “Jenna, aren’t you going to say hello to yourboyfriend?” Cassandra teases.
Jenna groans, arms crossed over her chest. I laugh out loud, knowing how badly it irks her that the people in her personal life are now going along with it, too.
“Hello, Cole. Good to see you,” she mutters, glancing over her shoulder, flashing me her ocean eyes before ripping her gaze from mine entirely.
“Snow.” I smirk, careful to make sure my enjoyment at her discomfort isn’t overly obvious, but she knows.
“While you’re here, Cole, we’re having a games night at our place tomorrow night for Jenna’s birthday. Unfortunately, I’musuallythe only guy at these things. Do you have plans?” Harleyasks me. The two of us share a knowing look while his wife’s eyes pop out of her head as she mouths the word ‘sorry,’ to her best friend.
An unplanned invitation.
I turn my attention to Jenna. She’s rummaging through her purse, probably searching for her keys to get the hell out of this awkward situation she’s been put in by the two people closest to her. “Do you want me there, Snow?”
“She does,” Cassandra replies for her, completely ignoring the silent treatment her friend is dishing out to the rest of us.
“Great, then I wouldn’t miss it.” I nod, and Harley hands me a card with his number on it, before clapping a palm on my shoulder.
“Text me so I have your number, and I’ll send you the details. Where’s your car?” he asks as he looks around the car park, realizing it’s empty aside from us.
“That’s a good question. One I’ll have to ask my manager when I see him back at the apartment.” I laugh awkwardly. “It’s a nice night, though. I think I might walk. Want to join me, Jenna?” I ask, placing my hand gently on her arm, and for a split second I see her body relax, but she realizes it as soon as I do, and pulls her arm away.
“No need,” Cassandra says. “This car here is Jenna’s for the next few months, so any time you need a ride, just ask her.” She nods toward the G-Wagon, a grin slapped across her face, like she knows exactly what it is that she’s doing.
“C—” Jenna begins to protest, but Cassandra cuts her off.
“No need to thank me, Jen. Off you go.” She flicks her hands at us, and I watch as she wiggles her brows. Jenna huffs loud enough for the rest of us to hear, and stalks off to the driver’s side door, aggressively pulling it closed.
“You guys love to meddle, huh?” I ask, slowly shaking Harley’s hand. The longer I stay and chat with her friends, the more frustrated Jenna is going to be.
“Who, us? Meddle?” Cassandra gasps, pretending to be shocked. “We wouldn’t dream of it.” She laughs. “By the way, next time we have dinner at Jenna’s place like we did the other night, feel free to join us. I’m sure she won’t mind.”
“With the way that just went, it looks like she minds being around me, period. Could you imagine me being in her space for dinner with her friends?” I rub my thumb across my lips.
“The invite is there,” Cassandra says. “See you Friday, anyway.” I watch as my new friends climb into their car, and Jenna waits visibly impatient for me, fingers tapping rapidly on the steering wheel.
“Are you getting in or not, Cole? I will leave without you,” she warns, and I believe her with every fiber of my being. Rounding the side of the car, I open the door, and slide into the passenger seat with a shit-eating grin on my face. She clenches her jaw and rolls her eyes.
Breaking her down is going to be fun.
“How was your day, Snow?” I ask, shattering the silence, hoping small talk will bring out some sort of conversation from her, but somehow the silence grows louder. “No? Okay. Mine was great—thanks for asking. What’s your favorite movie?”
