“Promise.” I rose my hand in a pledge and smiled. “One more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you promise me you’ll be extra careful on your bike?”
“I’m always careful.”
“I know, but I just want you to be extra cautious.”
“For you, anything,” she vowed, winking. “Okay, off to grab a coffee. Need anything?”
“Nope. I’m set.”
I glanced at the clock and only had about an hour to run through everything I wanted to get done before lunch. I made my rounds, dropping off mail and picking up a few small business requests along the way.
Decker was waiting near my cubicle when I returned. He was leaning against the wall, and I had to admit that he really did know how to dress well. He finished an email on his phone and glanced up when I’d grabbed my purse.
“My treat,” he said, ushering me toward the elevators.
“No way. You did that last time. I owe you.”
We stepped into the elevator and the cart glided down to the lobby. Once the doors opened, I stepped into the large space that bustled with people as the noon hour became closer.
“I think I’ll owe you one after this lunch.”
I turned to face him and raised a brow. “What does that mean? Did this place get really bad reviews or something?”
“No. I just. You’ll see.”
I stopped mid-stride and turned to face Decker.
“What are you not telling me that you obviously want to tell me?”
His eyes fell to the marble floor and then moved up to a large ficus tree near the security guards.
Decker still didn’t speak, so I lightly punched him in the arm. Maybe this was a date. “I’ll let you buy. Now let’s get going before the place fills up. Lead the way.”
I followed him down the hill and over two blocks before seeing a large outdoor eating area that was nestled in between two towering skyscrapers. It was filled with people drinking coffee and eating all sorts of food. I spied frozen yogurt, sandwiches, burritos, and burgers scattered on people’s trays. How did I not know about this spot? It was lunch hour heaven.
“Is that the place we’re headed?” I asked.
“It is. There are over ten restaurants and cafes lined up in that little atrium area so if the pizza place doesn’t look so hot we can always grab something else.”
Decker looked a little uneasy, and I realized this might be a lot more than I realized. I totally needed to give him a break.
As we wove through the patio tables and lines of hungry people, we made it to the corner pizzeria, Bella Pies.
“This the place?” I asked, standing next to him.
“It is.” He reached into his pocket and dug around. “I don’t have my wallet.” He slapped his head. “I left it on the desk.”
“No sweat. I’ll pick up the tab.”
“I can’t let you do that. Just buy your own slice and I’ll be right back.” He wouldn’t look me in the eye and took off before I even had a chance to relay how ridiculous that was.
“Next,” the cashier called.
Realizing I was that person, I ordered a slice of garlic chicken and spinach pizza and paid. I stepped to the side of the counter and wondered what in the world had gotten into Decker. When my order was called, I grabbed the tray with the slice of pizza and cheese bread and found a place to sit. I felt awkward as couples and groups were taking up tables all around, and I hoped Decker would hurry up and reappear. Plus, I didn’t want my pizza to get cold.
Snagging a sliver of spinach off the top, I slurped it up and delighted at the lack of manners I displayed when no one was looking. I had never actually been to this area of the city before and noticed the amount of techies that congregated rather than the suits, and then a rumbling laugh interrupted my people watching.
“Is this seat taken?” An all too familiar voice from behind wrapped around my body. The spike of excitement I felt was out of this world.
I turned around to see Aaron standing with a tray that held two slices of pizza and garlic bread. His smile was absolutely adorable and revealed a line of perfectly straight teeth. He was one of the suits, dressed impeccably in some designer I’d never guess, but Lily would be all over. The wind ruffled up the corner of his suit jacket as I sat staring, speechless. His brow arched up and his smile turned into a smirk.
“Well?”
“Sorry. I mean yes. It’s taken. I’m here with a coworker.”
“Decker?”
“How did you know who I was here with?” I responded, trying to keep my voice neutral.
He slid his tray onto the table, unbuttoned his jacket, and sat across from me with such quickness that I was stunned. His brows pulled together as he removed the napkins from under the plate, still not responding. The rays of sunlight that managed to sneak in between the buildings danced off his eyes, warming them up as he looked up at me.
“You’re going to have to find another place to sit. Decker went back to grab his wallet and…” As the words left my lips, I rolled my eyes. Man, I was gullible. I glanced around the patio and back at Aaron.
“Decker worked on one of the teams in my division.” He took a sip of water. “Before he transferred to yours. Good kid.”
“Kid?” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure he’d love to hear himself be referred to that way.”
“He’s got a lot to learn. His maturity level is—”
“About as great as Cole’s,” I interrupted.
Aaron’s gaze caught mine and his mouth parted only to shut quickly.
“You look completely out of place.” I grabbed my fork.
“Doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t bother you.”
I shrugged and took a bite of the pizza. It was delicious. Not as delicious as looking at him, but it would have to do as I stared at my plate, determined not to be swayed.
“You have my number. Why didn’t you just call me?” I asked.
“Would you have answered?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the obvious and felt my belly tighten as his eyes darkened with intent.
“Thanks for the flowers,” I said, grinning. “But that wasn’t very tactful considering…”
“I didn’t send you any flowers,” he said, bewildered.
“Oh. I just thought it was you,” I said, completely mortified.
“The old send-flowers-to-yourself trick,” Aaron laughed. “I think the person you’re taunting is supposed to be in the office to see it or it doesn’t quite have the same impact.”
“Very funny.” But the uneasiness began to creep up each vertebra as I thought about who might have sent the flowers.
“So why did you delete my email without opening it? That’s a bit rude, don’t you think?” His eyes pinned me against an imaginary wall, and it was all I could do not to slink away. “I won’t go away that easily. And I don’t think you want me to either.” His gaze drilled into me as he watched my cheeks ignite.
“I saw the direction the email was heading and didn’t want to waste my time. And don’t be so certain.”
“Direction the email was headed?” he questioned, ignoring my confession.
“Cole. There is no Cole. He’s my brothers’ friend and contrary to what he may have told you, I have never been nor would I ever be involved with him.”
“I realize you have some internal code about not being with him because he’s a friend of your brothers, and not entertaining the idea of us because I’m the brother of your best friend. But I think…”
“There is no code with Cole. I just don’t like him. End of story.” I dropped my slice of pizza and wiped my hands on the napkin.
“So you have no code when it comes to dating friends of your brothers, but you do have a code when it comes to me?” My eyes fell to his lips and my traitor of an imagination pictured his mouth tracing down my collarbone. I shook my head to squash the vision. His eyes were full of amusement when I looked back up, and I swore he knew what I
was thinking. The tension between us was almost unbearable, and I caught myself shredding my napkin under the table.
“That’s not what I meant. Of course, I wouldn’t date my brothers’ friends, but it also happens that I don’t like Cole. He’s lazy and he gives me the willies.”
“The willies?” Aaron’s laughter caught the attention of some of the techies in line, and I couldn’t help but smile. “So quite possibly, it sounds like I don’t give you the willies, which is in turn why you enacted your code with me. You needed some forsaken reason to keep me away.”
He was wearing me down. He knew it and I knew it. And I no longer cared as he watched me closely.
“There is no code. And I think we both know why I’m keeping you away.”
“I don’t think you should hide us from my sister,” Aaron continued.
“There is no us.” I fumbled with my napkin as my heart started pounding.
“Not yet. But there will be.”
Chapter Eight
His frankness was disarming and so was his intent. There was no escaping from him this time, and I’d be lying to myself if I tried to run anyway. It no longer seemed as if we were in the middle of a lively city. It felt like it was only the two of us on the patio as his eyes bored into me, stilling everything around me but my hammering heart.
“All I’m asking for is one date. A proper date,” he said, sliding his tray to the side. “And then make up your mind whether I’m worth investing any time into.” The coy smile reappeared on his lips as he awaited my answer as if he knew I’d be unable to turn him down.
“What about the others?”
“Others?” he repeated. His brow quirked up slightly, as he sat back in the chair.
I nodded, watching the intensity of his expression change behind his eyes.
“I’m asking for one date,” he muttered, glancing at the lunch crowd. He looked uneasy and I wasn’t sure if it was because I knew there were others or because I was pinning him down.
“And I’m asking whether that one date will just put me in the lineup?” I stared directly into his hardening gaze. “Because that’s not what I’m looking for.”
“What are you looking for?” his voice was low, and I watched the strain in his jaw as the muscles contracted.
“Something more if the fit is right, and I’m not sure you’re capable. From what I’ve heard—”
“Heard?” His eyes stayed on mine. “From who?”
“That doesn’t matter, but I’ve seen it for myself. The way you treated that poor woman.”
His laughter was cold and distant. “At the bar?”
I nodded suddenly not feeling so sure of myself.
“I had just met her. I had no interest in her. Should I have led her on and made her feel like—” He removed his jacket and my eyes couldn’t help but stumble over his chest. God, he looked sensational. “Like I make you feel?”
“Who said anything about me feeling any sort of way,” I protested, shaking my head. “You, my friend, are sorely mistaken.”
“Am I?”
I blushed immediately and clamped down on the garlic bread. This wasn’t going how I planned.
“Now tell me, who did you hear what from?” he asked.
“Cole,” I replied simply.
“You said yourself he wasn’t a reliable source.”
“And Google,” I confessed, flushing immediately.
Yes, it was true. I had become one of those I had sworn I wouldn’t and may have Googled him once or twice in the last few weeks. But I did find out some very interesting tidbits. For instance, it appeared he never made it to an event alone, including the one at the winery where I first met him, which added to my theory of only being added to a revolving lineup.
He was silent for a moment before his eyes flicked to mine.
“Have you seen any events where I was with someone since the night at the winery when I met you?”
Come to think of it, no.
I shook my head.
“Do you think that’s a coincidence?” He leaned toward me and the shift between us was energizing.
“You expect me to believe you haven’t been on a date with anyone since that night?” I arched a brow. The exhilaration that raced through my body at his proclamation almost tipped me over the edge. I wanted to believe it but found it almost impossible.
“It’s the truth. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.” He glanced at his watch. I was sure my lunch hour was up, but I didn’t care. “And the brunette, Macy, who I’m sure you spied in the pictures with me that night, never happened. If that’s what you’re wondering.”
God, yes! That was what I had been wondering; although I’d never admit it to him. The absolute pleasure that was pulsing through my veins was almost indescribable.
“Now will you give me one chance to prove myself?” he repeated.
I was silent.
“How about you just try responding to my emails or a phone call? You might find you like it.”
I nodded slowly, smiling as I felt a rush of excitement. I knew I would like it and that was the problem.
“A friendship. That’s all I can offer.”
“That’s a start.” His eyes glimmered with victory. “I’ll be in touch.”
Wait. What?
“I’ve got a meeting I’m late for,” he said, sensing my unease with the sudden brushoff.
My stomach knotted slightly as I worried that I truly was only a conquest. But I hoped not. I really hoped not. I watched him take off toward our building and wondered if I was making the mistake of a lifetime and jeopardizing a friendship in the meantime. I tossed the garlic bread and last bites of the pizza into the trash and made my way back to the office, worrying my way along the sidewalk, barely noticing that I was almost to my building.
As I rounded the bend, I saw Aaron and his sister talking in front of the entrance. Not wanting to be seen, I did a quick pivot and snuck back to where I came from. There was a side entrance to the garage that would suit me perfectly well. I gave a quick wave to the guard and beeped into the building, waiting for the elevator to deliver me to our floor.
The elevator opened up on the lobby and both Gabby and Aaron stepped inside.
Just my luck!
Completely puzzled as to who knew what or how much of anything, I just smiled and stepped deeper into the carriage to let them both fit in. Aaron gave me a quick nod and wink, which totally made my insides collide, but reality soon came knocking.
“Hard to believe Aaron works in our building,” Gabby said, smiling, turning toward the closing doors.
Not hard to believe if you knew who he worked for I wanted to blurt.
Aaron took a step back and leaned against the rail.
“Sometimes things are meant to be,” Aaron said, his eyes staying focused solely on me, sending a shot of pure electricity through me.
“That is true,” Gabby said, completely oblivious.
The doors opened on our floor, and I quickly followed Gabby off the elevator. I felt his eyes still on me as I walked away, and he remained in the elevator. I needed a safe territory so I didn’t stick my foot in my mouth.
“Did he say what he was doing in the building?” I asked.
“Guess the company he works for has headquarters on the twenty-sixth floor.”
So he didn’t mention that the company was owned by her father. Good to know.
“Are you guys doing better?” I asked.
“I think we’ll get there. Part of me wants to gun him down with questions to find out why he left or where he went, but the other part of me doesn’t really want the answers yet. I’ve made him such a monster for so many years, I’m hoping to make him human again before I find out anything that will disappoint me.”
I nodded as I turned into my cubicle and Gabby took a seat at the opening. “That makes sense.”
“Jason gave me a heads up about a dinner at my parents’ house, and Aaron will be there. I was hoping you’d
come for moral support. I talked to him about it quickly downstairs. I think it will be good. I hope it will be good.”
Shit!
“Sure. You know I’ll be there for you any way you need. Do you think you’ll find out what’s been going on?” I wiggled my mouse to wake up my computer, and my email popped up with a message from Aaron. I minimized it quickly and turned around to see Gabby staring at the floor. My heartbeat was racing and a rush of adrenaline flooded my system. I liked what this was doing to me, what Aaron was doing to me, and I really enjoyed the secrecy of it, which was peculiar.
“I do. But something tells me there’s more to it than just my brother so I’m glad there will be other people there. Might diffuse my temper.”
“You…a temper? I can’t even imagine,” I teased.
She rolled her eyes and leaned back in the chair.
“So who sent you flowers?” she asked, glancing at the arrangement. “It’s like I’m distracted for a couple weeks, and your whole dating life blows up.”
“I still have no dating life,” I laughed. “But I don’t know. They just showed up with no sender.”
“That’s weird.”
Tell me about it.
“I’m guessing Shane?”
“I don’t think he’s gotten over you, and you’re so nice to your exes that I don’t think they ever quite get the message,” she said, grinning.
“And the alternative is never speaking to them and changing my number?”
“Works for me,” she laughed. “So I think Decker might be into you.”
I spun around in my chair and laughed. “Really? What makes you think that?”
“I ran into him outside, and he seemed all flustered and completely unlike himself.” She grinned and pointed at the flowers. “Maybe they’re from him?”
He probably seemed flustered because your brother—his ex-boss—scared him to death.
“I doubt it. I think he just has a lot on his mind,” I said. “I went around the office to see if there were any projects that I could help with, and everyone seemed set, so would you mind if I snuck in—”
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