by Tara Wyatt
“Yay?” said Dori tentatively. “You’re my work wife. You can’t leave.”
She shot Dori a smile. “Don’t worry, it doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere anytime soon.” Although she was smiling, disappointment curled through her, so profound that she actually felt like she was sinking.
Clearly, everything she was doing here and now to chase her dream and make it a reality—playing local gigs, auditioning for bigger gigs, circulating demos, putting her stuff online—wasn’t working. What was that saying about insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Maybe it was time to change her approach. She wasn’t willing to give up on her dream, but she also didn’t know what to do differently.
Once they’d ordered their food, Willa clasped her hands together and turned her attention to Theo and Lauren. “So? How’d your dates go? Any love connections?”
His fingers curled into her thigh again, giving her that melty rush she couldn’t get enough of. He was probably just trying to be friendly, reassuring, comforting. He’d probably be embarrassed as hell if he had any idea how much this was turning her on.
Get. A. Grip.
She glanced over at Theo and saw the humor dancing in his eyes. At the same time, they both started to laugh.
“Is this good laughter, or bad laughter?” asked Willa, her lips pursed.
“You wanna go first?” asked Theo, holding his hand out in an “after you” gesture.
“Theo set me up with his co-worker Giovanni,” started Lauren, wondering just how much to share with the group.
“Oooh, sounds sexy,” said Kayla, stirring a bit more milk into her coffee.
“Agreed,” said Brandon. “Details, please.”
Lauren smiled. “He was good looking, yeah. He was also a colossal douche. He checked out another woman in front of me, asked me if I was bisexual, told me I should change my name to Lola, and made me pay for dinner. I’m sure there’s more, but I’ve blocked it out at this point.” She pretended to shudder.
“Theo! Why would you set her up with a total loser?” asked Willa, reaching across the table and throwing a sugar packet at him.
He shrugged, looking chagrined as he swatted the packet away. “I have bad taste in men?”
“Ugh,” grunted Willa, rolling her eyes. “And how was your date?”
He jerked his thumb in Lauren’s direction. “She set me up with Bliss, Aspen’s sister, mostly as payback for Giovanni, I think. We, um, we went to a tantric meditation class and when I wasn’t down with a stranger grabbing my junk in a room full of other strangers, we bailed. She did read my tarot cards though, which I have to admit, was kinda cool.”
“What did your cards say?” asked Dori, leaning forward on her elbows. “Anything interesting?”
Suddenly, he took his hand away from Lauren’s thigh, leaving cool air swirling over her as the heat of his touch dissipated. The melty feeling inside her dissipated, too.
“Nothing interesting. You know, just New Age mumbo jumbo.” She glanced at him, pressing her lips into a thin line. He had liar face. She could always tell when he was lying because he had this funny way of holding his mouth when he did, like he was trying not to smile but also trying not to frown. Why didn’t he want to share what Bliss’s reading had said?
Two servers arrived at their table with trays covered in plates. Silence settled over the group as everyone dug in to their food. But the silence was short lived because Willa had never been one to let something go.
She speared a piece of melon onto the end of her fork, shaking her head sadly. “How is it that two people who know each other so well chose so poorly for each other? I don’t get it.”
“Hey, I told you that I’m not really looking for a relationship,” said Theo a little defensively.
“And like he said, he has bad taste in men,” said Lauren, ready to let the subject go. But Willa clearly had other plans. She set her fork down and reached for the bottle of sriracha, squirting more onto her eggs.
“Okay, so then let me set you up. A blind double date. What do you say?” Before Theo could open his mouth to argue, Willa pointed her fork at him. “You did say you wanted to help Lauren find someone. And maybe if you started dating someone, you both could detach just a little from this co-dependent relationship.”
“We are not co-dependent,” said Lauren, picking up a piece of bacon and taking a healthy bite.
Willa rolled her eyes. “Please. You are and it’s only gotten worse since you’ve both been single for the past while. You consult each other about every tiny decision, you practically live at Theo’s on weekends, you text or phone almost constantly…you just seem to arrange your lives around each other, and if you were in a romantic relationship that would be one thing, but you’re not, so it’s maybe time to seek a little independence before you basically become half of the Golden Girls.”
Lauren smirked at Theo. “You’d make a good Dorothy.”
“I don’t know, you always struck me as more of a Commander Riker from Star Trek: The Next Generation,” said Dori. “You know, manly and smart, hardworking and loyal. Do you play the saxophone?”
“I think he’s more like Johnny Rose from Schitt’s Creek,” said Brandon. “You’ve got money, you dress well, you love the city, and you kind of have a teeny-weeny stick up your ass about schedules and plans and being organized.”
Theo leaned forward, a wide-mouthed smile on his face. “What? I do not. Lo, tell them I do not have a stick up my ass.”
“I’m not getting involved in this. I don’t want to reinforce the idea that we’re co-dependent,” she said, sticking her tongue out at Willa. “I like this game. Do me! What TV character am I?”
“You’re Pam from The Office,” said Dori. “Like, hands down. You’re creative and love anything artsy, you’re a sweetheart and you’re a good friend.”
Kayla tipped her head. “I don’t know. Sticking with Dori’s Star Trek theme, I think you’re more like Deanna Troi. You’re very perceptive, but like Dori said, you’re also kind and loyal.”
“No, no. You’re both wrong. Lauren is Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz,” said Brandon. “Hear me out. You’re a girly girl, you’re musical, you’re kind and…don’t hate me, okay, but you kind of have this wide-eyed innocence. It’s very charming.”
“I’m not that innocent,” she said, taking another bite of her bacon.
“Okay, Britney, whatever you say,” said Brandon with a shrug.
Before Lauren could defend herself, Willa jumped back in. “So, yes? I’m setting you up on a blind double date? I know some pretty great people who just happen to be single.”
“Well, I—” started Lauren, as Theo said at the same time, “I don’t think—”
But Willa clapped her hands once, a huge smile on her face. “Awesome. It’s settled. I’m going to find the perfect matches for you both.”
9
The following weekend, Theo held the door for Lauren as they stepped inside the swanky Italian restaurant in Midtown. After their two disastrous blind dates, Theo had insisted on picking the location this time. One tantric meditation class was already one too many, as far as he was concerned. He’d been dreading this night all week. He didn’t want to play this game anymore. Granted, he wasn’t any closer to figuring out what it was he actually wanted, either.
Wait, no. That wasn’t true. He pretty much knew what he wanted. The part he was having trouble with was making peace with the fact that he couldn’t have it. Not if he cared about Lauren—which he did, obviously—and not if he wanted to protect her from getting hurt—which, again, he did. Obviously. And it wasn’t as though she harbored any kind of latent feelings for him. If she did, wouldn’t she have brought up their almost kiss again? Flirted with him? Made some kind of move? Said something about the fact that he’d had his hand halfway up her thigh at brunch? He’d done it to try to get some kind of reaction from her, some tiny clue that maybe, just maybe…but, no. And it wouldn’t have
mattered anyway. He’d just used that thinking as an excuse to touch her. To pretend he had some kind of claim on her.
Then again, she knew his feelings about relationships, so maybe she wouldn’t say anything, and she had set him up on that disaster of a date with Bliss, so…
“I can hear you thinking,” she whispered in his ear, tugging him inside the restaurant. “I know you’re not interested in meeting anyone, but I am, so come on.” She gave another less-than-subtle tug on his coat and dragged him toward the maître d’ stand. She shrugged out of her own black coat, revealing a skintight navy blue dress with the thinnest straps he’d ever seen. It dipped low in the front and even lower in the back, showcasing her smooth pale skin dotted with freckles. He sucked in a sharp breath, her cinnamon-vanilla scent hitting him, hard. He licked his lips and clenched his fists in his pockets, trying to get a grip on himself.
“Right this way,” said the maître d’, leading them into the main dining area. “The other two members of your party are already here.”
He let Lauren walk ahead of him, which gave him ample opportunity to stare at her ass in that tight dress. She had what he was willing to bet was the world’s cutest ass. Round and tight with just the right amount of jiggle. His palms tingled as he imagined filling them with it, squeezing, pulling her closer before he—
“Here we are,” said the maître d’, pulling out Lauren’s chair for her. “Enjoy your meal.”
“Hi,” smiled a guy Theo had to admit was handsome from the other side of the table. “I’m Eli. You must be Lauren? And Theo?” He had blond hair, a movie star smile, and dimples. Crap. Lauren was a sucker for dimples.
“Nice to meet you,” Theo said, shaking Eli’s hand. “I’m Theo,” he said, introducing himself to his own date. She was stunning, too. Long, dark brown hair fell to her slender waist. She had brown eyes framed with thick lashes, high cheekbones and a wide mouth, all paired with the body of a fitness model.
“Jenna,” she said, shaking his hand and smiling warmly. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“So, how do you two know Willa?” asked Lauren, settling back in her seat, her eyes locked on Eli.
“I’m her veterinarian. Or, I guess I should say, her cat’s veterinarian. I’m pretty sure Willa doesn’t need any flea and tick medication.” Lauren laughed, just a little too loudly, which Theo knew meant she liked Eli.
Which meant that Theo instantly disliked him.
“And I know Willa through work,” said his date, drawing his attention back to her. “I work in finance, and we both used to work at a big tech company. But she’s working at your brother’s company now, right?” she asked, pointing at Theo.
He nodded. “Yeah, she just started. So you work in finance? What do you do, exactly?”
The conversation went on from there as they all exchanged details about their jobs, where they’d gone to school, favorite parts of the city. Boring getting-to-know-you stuff that Theo was having a hard time paying attention to because even though his eyes were on Jenna, the rest of him was keenly aware of Lauren. The way she was leaning forward on the table, making her cleavage even sexier. The way she was hanging on Eli’s every word, smiling and laughing and flirting. The way Eli seemed just as into her if his body language was any indication.
“So, Eli, I have to ask,” said Lauren, tracing the tip of her finger around the rim of her half-empty wine glass, “how are you single? I don’t mean to sound rude, but, like…how?” She gestured at him. “You’re like the total package.”
He grinned, flashing those dimples again. “I’m glad you think so. And to answer your question, I’m not sure. I guess maybe I just haven’t met the right person yet.” He reached across the table and gave Lauren’s hand a squeeze.
“Or maybe it’s because you smell like cat pee,” muttered Theo under his breath before taking a healthy sip of his wine.
Eli turned to him, still smiling. “What was that?”
“Nothing, just thinking out loud.”
Jenna turned her attention to Theo. “I guess I could ask you the same question. I mean, like Lauren said about Eli, you seem like the total package. How are you single?”
Lauren snickered into her wine glass.
“Something to say?” he asked lightly.
She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “No, no. As your closest friend for the past decade, I definitely don’t have any insight into why you might be single.” She glanced at Jenna. “But, you’re right, he’s the total package. As long as you’re cool with that package including a paralyzing fear of commitment and a history of dysfunction.”
Theo’s eyebrows slammed down. “Hey. Hang on a second.”
Lauren shrugged. “Just thought Jenna might want to know the truth.”
Eli and Jenna glanced uncertainly at each other.
“And what about your truth, Lauren?”
“And what would that be?”
“That you’re single because you have horrible taste in men.”
“That’s not true at all. I want to find someone to spend my life with, unlike you, and I realize that to do that, I have to put myself out there. Sure, that means I date some duds.”
He scoffed. “Some? Try all. You could do so much better than the guys you date. How many men have given you flowers over the past few years?”
She tossed her napkin down on the table. “Just because I’m single doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with me.”
“I’m not saying there’s something wrong with you.” Oh, God, what the hell was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he stop talking?
“Then what are you saying?”
“I don’t get it, Lo. You’re beautiful and smart and talented and could have any man you wanted. So why are you single? I mean, if you’re going to bring up my issues, maybe—”
“Screw you, Theo.” She pushed up out of her chair and stalked toward the back of the restaurant.
“Shit.” He pushed a hand through his hair and stood. He didn’t even excuse himself or say a word to Eli and Jenna, who were watching everything with their mouths slightly agape, eyebrows raised. He felt bad for acting like an ass, but he felt worse for upsetting Lauren. It was totally outside of the norm for them to fight, but clearly tensions were high tonight.
God, he was such a fucking asshole, wasn’t he? Projecting all of his issues and baggage and everything onto her. Making her feel like there was something wrong with her when there was something wrong with him.
He rounded the corner and spotted her leaning against the wall in the quiet hallway. She glanced up, her fiery hair swirling around her bare shoulders. Fuck, she was so beautiful. So beautiful it almost hurt to look at her.
“Lauren, I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have said—”
“You’re an idiot,” she shot back, hurt flashing in her pretty green eyes. “You’re such a goddamned idiot.”
“I know. I know.” He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.
She let out a sad little chuckle. “No, Theo. That’s just it. You don’t know. You have no freaking clue.”
He took a step closer, feeling as though he were going to vibrate out of his skin with how badly he wanted to reach out and touch her. “Then tell me.”
She tilted her chin up, meeting his eyes. “I’m single because I want you, you dummy.”
Electricity charged through his veins, her words lighting him up from the inside. “Fuck,” he whispered. It was the only word he could think of that encapsulated everything going through his brain—the excitement, the relief, the fear, the knowledge that he was about to forever change things between them. He knew he should probably hit pause, take time to think it over and process what she’d just said, but he couldn’t. Her words had shredded his restraint, completely and thoroughly.
His palm landed on the wall beside her head, his other hand sliding around her waist. “You want me?”
She bit her lip and looked up at him, her eyes practically molten with heat. “You ha
ve no idea how much.”
The last of his control disappeared and he lowered his head, closing his mouth over hers. She gasped against his mouth, but then opened for him almost instantly, her hands moving restlessly up and down his chest, as though she wanted to touch him everywhere at once. Her sweet taste flooded him, obliterating everything else around him. The noise of the restaurant, the smell of the food, the hallway where they stood—it all disappeared, everything falling away as he kissed her, her soft lips moving against his hungrily, eagerly. He slid his tongue against hers, wanting more of her mouth, his blood hot to the point of scorching.
He lifted his hand from the wall and cupped her face, wanting her closer. Needing more of her. He tightened his arm around her waist, sealing her against him as he explored her mouth with his tongue. He’d imagined kissing her countless times, but now that he was actually kissing her, this woman that he’d wanted to kiss for the better part of ten years, he knew that his imagination was a piss poor substitute for the real thing.
The pace of the kiss grew frenzied, heat and urgency spreading between them. It was as though he’d opened the floodgates on his lust for her, for this woman who was only supposed to be a friend, and now that he’d opened them, he couldn’t close them. He couldn’t rein it all back in. It was too late.
She wove her hands into his hair, and while the pace of the kiss slowed, the intensity didn’t. He took everything she was offering with long, hot sweeps of his tongue against hers, savoring the soft sounds she was making. God, he felt so fucking alive, kissing Lauren in this hallway. Like he’d been on life support and the only thing that had saved him was her mouth under his.
She broke the kiss, panting like she’d just run a marathon, but he wasn’t done with her yet. Not by a longshot. He buried his face in her sweet smelling neck, nipping lightly at the juncture where her neck met her shoulder before kissing and sucking it better, soothing away his bite.
“Oh, God, Theo,” she whispered, her hips moving against him. He sucked on a spot just below her ear and she made an undignified but totally sexy “unf” sound. Hooking his free hand under her thigh, he lifted her leg and wrapped it around his waist. She stilled as his hard, throbbing cock made contact with her pussy, only the fabric of her panties shielding her.
