Page 11 of A Little Bit Uncertain

“What in God’s name is going on out here?” He tried to keep his face as stern as the one he walked out with, but he couldn’t do it. “I don’t even know what I’m laughing about right now, but the two of you laughing like this is contagious and quite loud, I might add.”

“Wait, I have a bone to pick with you, Wright,” Maeve said, as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Meeting one of my besties at a bar last night?”

“I didn’t know she was there. I left here at midnight and needed a nightcap. But I hear there is a feast to be had today.”

My heart took a tiny hit. Maybe there was a tiny part of me that hoped he sought me out. Realistically, there was no way for him to know I was at The Yard last night, though. Fool. I’d better get those kinds of thoughts under control, stat.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a tablecloth, plates, flowers, and candles.

“You didn’t,” he smirked, one side of his lip ticking up.

“Oh, but I did,” I gushed back at him. “Prepare to be dazzled. These are beautiful, by the way. Thank you,” I gestured to the flowers. I half forgot that Maeve was in the room with us, and I caught her narrow her eyes to look between him and me again.

“What is going on here? What am I missing? What are you doing?”

Oh, I wish I knew, Maeve.

“And why are you thanking him for flowers?” She questioned with narrowed eyes.

“Oh, I ran into Donovan when I was running errands the other day, and we laughed about my newest hobby. Last night at The Yard, he asked for a photo and I didn’t have one, so I thought I’d bring stuff to show him a watered-down version of an award-winning tablescape.” I giggled and glanced at him just in time to see a full-on smile spread across his face. I felt myself blush and looked away, busying myself with setting up. Seriously, what was going on with me?.

“So far, so good, Audra.” His words made me preen. “I have to make one more quick call before we eat. I just had to see what all that noise was about. This won’t take long,” he said, leaving us and closing the door behind him.

As soon as it clicked shut, Maeve turned to me, “Yes or no. Did you hook up with him last night after the Harry debacle?” She was never one to mince words or beat around the bush.

“God, no, what do you take me for? I told you I was about four minutes away from going home with someone else.”

But would I have gone with Donovan if the opportunity presented itself? Probably.

“I take you for someone who wanted to get laid. But what’s up with you two, then?”

“Um, what do you mean? Nothing at all. We sat for a little last night and had a couple of laughs before Bennett took me home.”

“Would you have slept with him?”

“Get off it, Maeve,” I scolded in a whisper. “We just shared some banter and some laughs.”

“He doesn’t laugh with people, Audra. He laughs with me because I see him every day, and I have relentlessly broken him down over the past year. And even so, he’s probably just let his guard down with me in the last two-ish months. He’s never acted like this with you because he’s usually hiding in his office like a troll. I’ve never seen him break his stoic façade to genuinely grin like this with anyone besides me, and we have gone on many a business trip where we are surrounded by people that he supposedly likes. I’ve rarely seen him belly laugh … or … I’m going to throw this out there … flirt like he just did. And do you know how many gorgeous women throw themselves at him during our conferences? I mean magazine model perfect. I’ve witnessed dozens, plus two B-list celebrities. He just glosses over it every time without even taking their numbers. I have honestly wondered if he is asexual, which would be a shame for all men and women everywhere.”

“You think he’s gay?” I questioned.

“No, I don’t. But he’s never once talked about attractions, dates, or relationships, past or current, with a man or woman. Like I said, possibly asexual.”

He couldn’t be. Not after the no complaints comment he dropped last night. I refused to believe that. Admittedly, before this week, I would agree with her about the character assessment, but for whatever reason, the last couple of times I’ve seen him, stoic is not one of the top twenty words I’d use to describe him. In fact, I wouldn’t use that at all. He was mildly flirty, charming, funny, and personable. "Bennett took to him right away too, and between the two of us and our excellent judgment of character, it practically counted as a background check.

Minus the Harold situation, but I was missing some key info on that.

“Here, help me get the food set up.” I pulled out the meat and all the fixings and set up a little assembly line station to try to pull the attention away from the conversation. Then, I whipped up the prickly pear margaritas and added the reposado to their drinks.

By the time Donovan opened the door, Maeve handed him a glass, and he grinned from ear to ear as he looked around and raised it. “Audra, this is incredible. Again, I’m sorry that something came up with your family. I’m sure they would have loved this. But, I’m not going to lie and say I won’t enjoy the hell out of this lunch. So, thank you for the food, the drink, and the décor. That tablescape is top-notch.” He clinked his glass to mine and Maeve’s, but didn’t take his eyes away from mine. I could feel my nose scrunch up into a kind of embarrassed smile.

We dug in, and after Donovan took a bite and swallowed, he froze. I got super nervous waiting for him to say something. I didn’t even want to explore the fact that I was watching him eat that closely.

“Audra, you said you could hang with cooking, but that you weren’t the best. You lied. This is the best fajita I’ve ever had.”

I think you could hear the deep breath I was holding in come out. “Yeah?” I said, breathier than I would have liked. “Glad you enjoy it.”

“Can I officially request a meal a day a week? I’ll pay you for it.”