She'd be able to move into her apartment, and we wouldn't be as close.I wouldn't be coming home to her anymore.There would be physical distance between us, and I wasn't sure what that meant for our relationship.
Were we a fling that would fizzle out as soon as she moved out, or was it something more?Did I even want anything else?
I'd told everyone that I wasn't looking for a relationship.I was focused on my business.But was that even true anymore?
These last few weeks had been amazing.I enjoyed coming home to Reina and spending our evenings and nights wrapped up in each other.But was that enough to prove that we had something worth preserving?
How did you know when you met the one?And did I even want that?I was so mixed up in my head.
Later that day, Cooper came on site to see the progress.He scanned the space."How are things going?"
"We're working on the electrical.After the inspection, we'll get the drywall up."This part of the project was routine and something I loved doing.It was so much easier to work with the studs exposed than to run electrical with walls intact.This was my favorite kind of project.I could do whatever I wanted without restriction.
I'd ensure that there was more than enough capacity to handle any appliance that Reina wanted to install.I'd go above and beyond for her.
He raised a brow."Are we on time for this one?"
"We should be, but we need Reina to pick out paint colors, flooring, and her appliances sooner rather than later."
Cooper scrutinized me."You want me to handle that part of it?"
"That would be great actually.She was in here earlier, so I know she can handle being in the space.She should be ready to pick out what she wants."
"Why can't you do it with her?"
That was a good question.There was a part of me that felt like I was getting too close to her.That I needed to create distance somewhere."I don't want to influence her decisions.I want her to have the bakery she's always wanted."
He crossed his arms over his chest."Is something going on between you two yet?"
My throat tightened.I wasn't sure how much I should share."We've gotten close."
He arched a brow."You got out of the friend zone, didn't you?"
I swallowed hard."I did."
"You're not worried about what Tom is going to think or how he'll react?"
My stomach felt like it had lead in it whenever I thought about Tom."No.I am."
"But you're pretending it doesn't matter?That he'll either be okay with it or it will end before he ever finds out."
I swallowed over the lump in my throat."It's a little bit of both, I think."
He narrowed his gaze."You're playing with fire."
I sighed."I know I am.But I can't seem to stop."
"I don't understand you Sterlings.You fall hard and fast."
I cleared my throat, a little uncomfortable with that assessment."Who said anything about falling for anyone?"
His forehead wrinkled."Isn't that what you're talking about?Not worrying about her brother because you're so into her that his opinion doesn't matter?"
"I'm pretty sure I didn't say anything like that."
"It was implied."
"You're assuming a lot."And I wasn't sure he was wrong.
