Mind the Line

by Jennifer Domenico

  “Good.” He tilts his head. “Do you know that you are so beautiful, Avery, all stripped down like you are now? Do you know?”

  I smile, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “I was trying to just be me.”

  “Well, just being you is amazing.”

  “Thank you, Ellis.”

  “Finish your tea and I will reluctantly take you home.”

  “Maybe we should reconsider the apartment idea.”

  “Why? Do you not trust me?”

  “Of course I trust you.”

  “Then it doesn’t matter if you live across town or right next door. I will respect your privacy.” He smiles. “Just please, for the love of god, don’t bring a man home.”

  “I would never do that. I don’t even want anyone else.” I laugh softly. “Remember Luke?”

  “Yes.”

  “I took his phone number because…”

  “You found him attractive?”

  “Yeah, he was good looking, but the real reason was I should’ve taken it. I should’ve accepted his date. I just couldn’t. I’m waiting for someone I can’t have.”

  “Yet. The day will come, Avery. I assure you the day will come. It has to.”

  God, I hope so.

  Ellis stands, offering his hand to me. “Now, let me take you home, before I break my own word.” As I stand, he pulls me into a hug, and I wrap my arms around him. He smells good, and his body is so warm. I never want him to let me go, but he does, gazing into my eyes. He looks at me so intently, I almost want to look away, but I can’t.

  “Your eyes are amazing, Ellis.”

  He nods, offering a slight smile. “Thank you. I’m finding it difficult to let you go.”

  “Yeah, I don’t really want you to.”

  “All the more reason why I should.” He steps back, letting his arms fall away. “Ready to go?”

  No. “Sure.”

  As we walk out and head back to his car, I’m fully aware that something is happening between us. I don’t know what to call it, or how to describe it, but I do know it’s never happened to me before. Smiling at him as I buckle my seatbelt, I know one thing for sure.

  Whatever it is, I like it.

  Chapter 17 Ellis

  Pulling up in front of David’s home, I smile at the beauty to my left. “Dinner is at six. I’ll pick you up at half past five. Is that alright?”

  “Yes, I’ll be ready. What should I wear?”

  “Anything is fine, but if you wish to impress the queen you can wear a dress.”

  “The queen?”

  “What I call my mother. She gets a good chuckle from it. I’ll be casual.”

  “Okay. I’ll figure it out.” She pauses, glancing out the window, and then back at me. “I’m excited to meet the woman who raised you.”

  “I appreciate that. She’ll fall in love with you.” As I’m positive many people do. “See you soon.”

  “Okay. Thanks for everything this morning.”

  “Jealous fit aside?”

  She laughs. “It wasn’t that bad.” Surprising me, she leans across the seat and kisses my cheek, causing me to hold my breath a moment too long. “See you later.”

  “Bye, Avery.”

  As she walks out, the front door opens and David comes towards me, so I lower my window.

  “Morning,” he says. “How’d it go?”

  “Pleasant morning. I invited her to dinner with my mother.” David’s eyes open wide, before he grins. “What?”

  “What?” He laughs. “How many years have I known you? I’m quite certain you’ve never invited a woman to dinner with your mum.”

  “Avery’s different.”

  “Clearly. Shall we schedule time for ring shopping?”

  “Stop it. It’s not like that.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “Of course I’m sure. I just thought it might be nice to show her a slice of British life.”

  “Ah, a proper tour guide now, are you?”

  I can’t help but laugh. “Fine, if you must know, I just want her around me.”

  “When do you plan to make the conversion? Hmm? When does her status change from colleague to lover?”

  “It doesn’t until we are no longer colleagues.”

  David nods. “Wise.”

  “Yeah. We won’t cross the line.”

  “I’m sure taking her to meet the mum, living next door to her, spending three days alone with her in Paris, won’t blur the line at all. Should be fine, mate.”

  Exhaling, I nod. “Challenges I’m fully aware of.”

  “Right.” He pats my arm. “Bloody good show though.”

  “At my expense, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll look forward to a full report tomorrow morning.”

  “You’ll get one.”

  I laugh, rolling up the window and waving as I drive off. I don’t know exactly what’s happening between us, but I know it’s not like anything I’ve experienced before. I know one more thing too.

  Whatever it is, I like it.

  Chapter 18 Avery

  Walking into the kitchen, I find Annabelle sitting at the table doing a crossword puzzle. She looks up and smiles.

  “How was breakfast?”

  I sigh, slouching into the chair beside her. “I’m in trouble.”

  “How so?”

  “I’m going to dinner at his mum’s tonight.”

  Her eyes open wide. “Oh? How did this happen?”

  “He asked. Right after he almost kissed me in his bedroom. Right after he showed me the apartment I agreed to rent right next door to him.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah.” I rub my forehead. “We agreed that we just have to stay professional.”

  “But you’re going to dinner with his mum?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And you’re gonna live next door to him?”

  “Right.”

  “And three days alone in Paris?”

  “Mm hmm.”

  “You’re right. You’re in trouble.”

  “I know. I couldn’t say no to any of it though. How sweet is it he wants me to meet his mum? No one’s ever wanted me to meet their family. Ever.”

  “Did he tell you why?”

  “He just said because he wants it. He told me so many nice things. He said I was beautiful like this without makeup and pencil skirts and heels. He said he wanted to kiss me so much he was afraid he’d pass out if he didn’t.”

  She leans close. “Did you kiss him?”

  “No. Just as he was about to his mum called.”

  “Ouch. Cock blocked by mum.”

  I laugh, throwing my head back. “That’s a good one.”

  She grins. “Yeah, it was.” She takes my hand. “What are you gonna do?”

  “I don’t know. This apartment is beyond amazing, but it’s right next door to him.”

  “Tempting.”

  “I know. Don’t even get me started about Paris.”

  “Yeah. Did you find out why he was so surly this morning?”

  “Oh yeah, he saw the pictures of me with Luke last night leaving that bar and he lost his shit.”

  She tilts her head. “Why?”

  “Jealous. Full on admitted it. Asked me if I fucked him. Those words.”

  “Whoa. Did you get pissed?”

  “I wasn’t pissed so much as I was shocked. I told him he had no right to question me, but I explained what happened. It was kind of sweet in a weird way that he was so jealous even though I’m not his to be jealous about.”

  “Yeah. Was he a dick though?”

  “A little. He was really upset, but he apologized and he was sincere about it. He admitted he knew he had no right, but he couldn’t help it.”

  Annabelle smiles. “Do you think he’s falling for you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What do I mean? Avery, I think Ellis is falling in love with you.”

  I guffaw, shaking
my head. “No. Don’t be silly. How could he? We’ve only known each other a few weeks.”

  “So? I fell in love with David in less than five hours.”

  “That’s different.”

  “No, it’s not. When you meet the right person, it’s easy to fall.”

  “It’s just lust, sis. I’m sure of that.”

  “That makes sense. Every guy who just wants to screw a girl takes her to meet his mother.”

  I give her a hard look. “It’s not love.”

  “How do you know? Did you ask him?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Okay, maybe you don’t know what it is yet. Maybe neither of you do, but I’d put money on it being way more than just lust. All I’m saying is don’t rule it out. Stranger things have happened.”

  As her words linger in my mind, we both look up as David enters the room. Grinning, he sits in the chair next to me.

  “What have you done to my mate?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s a mess. I’ve never seen him like this.”

  “Ooh,” Annabelle says. “What kind of mess?”

  “Ellis is almost always confident, always assured of himself, particularly when it comes to women, but just now, I was talking to a man the very opposite of those traits. He has no idea what to do about you.”

  “She doesn’t know what to do about him either.”

  “Thank you,” I say, giving my sister a look.

  “It’s amusing as hell to watch. I don’t know what it is about you Kennedy women, but you certainly know how to put a man under your spell.” He lifts Annabelle’s hand and kisses the back of it. “And what a delightful spell it is.” David looks back at me. “It seems Ellis is quickly on his way to being just as entranced by you as I am by your sister.”

  “Did he say that?” Annabelle asks.

  “Basically.”

  “We agreed not to cross the line.”

  “Yes, he shared that with me.”

  I nod. “Good. We’re on the same page.”

  “Yes, but I’ll ask you the same question I asked him. How exactly do you both plan to stay on this side of it?”

  “Don’t know yet,” I mumble. “Have you met his mum?”

  “Yes, a few times. She’s a lovely woman. Very warm, but be warned she wants a grandbaby.”

  “Well she isn’t getting one from me.”

  “You never know.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “The future is yet undetermined.”

  I exhale slowly. “The idea of me having a child is as foreign a concept as nuclear physics is. I can’t see it.”

  “Doesn’t mean it won’t happen.” He leans back in his chair. “Personally, I love the idea of my best mate and my darling sister-in-law becoming a couple. Don’t you, Belle?”

  That’s the first time I’ve heard him call her a nickname. She smiles, nodding. “I would love it.”

  “Well, I’m glad you two are excited, but let’s not forget, we’re colleagues, guys. We’re not dating, we’re not going to. This is a work relationship, and even if there is an attraction between us, we’re both professional enough to rise above it.”

  David and Annabelle exchange glances. “That sounds like famous last words to me. What do you think, Belle?”

  “I agree.”

  I roll my eyes and stand. “And on that note, I’ll be upstairs.”

  They both laugh as I leave shaking my head. I still don’t know what to do, but at this point, all I can do is see what happens next.

  ◆◆◆

  A few hours later, I’m standing in front of my mirror with just my bra and panties on, wondering what to wear to supper. Annabelle knocks on the door, letting herself in as she does.

  “Hey.”

  I turn and look at her. “I don’t know what to wear.”

  “Okay. I’ll help.” She starts looking through my options and pulls out a red dress. “God, this is hot.”

  “Yeah. Too hot for supper.”

  “Definitely.” She sets it down on the bed, then pulls out the same black dress I wore the night I met Ellis. “How about this? It’s demure, classy. You could wear a blazer over it and boots. Casual, but nice.”

  Nodding, I take it from her. “Okay. Yeah, I’ll wear this. After pulling on tights, I tug the dress on and check my reflection, running my hand over my tummy. “Good?”

  “Yeah, you look great.” She pulls off her sweater. “I have to try this on.” She grabs the red dress again, shimmying into it. Once she has it on we stand next to each other in the full length mirror. Annabelle smiles. “If you didn’t know us, you couldn’t tell us apart.”

  I smile. “True. It’s weird because sometimes I look at you and I think, gosh she’s so pretty, but then I realize I look just like you.”

  “Yeah you do, so I guess that means we’re both pretty.”

  “Yeah.”

  The sound of the doorbell pulls my attention as a flutter of nerves hits my stomach. “Ooh, he’s here. I’ll get the door. You finish up.”

  “Thanks, sis.”

  She rushes out as I grab my boots to finish getting ready. I shouldn’t be nervous. I’m just a coworker. It’s not special. We’re not a couple, and I’m definitely not having her future grandbabies. It’s just dinner, for fuck’s sake. Now, if I could just believe that.

  Chapter 19 Ellis

  The door opens and she’s there, wearing a stunning red dress with her cleavage on full display. Far too sexy for dinner, but I can’t take my eyes off of her. Without thinking, and before she can say a word, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close, as her eyes open wide.

  “You look amazing, love, but I fear it’s a bit too much for dinner with mum.”

  “Hey, mate,” David says, standing behind us with his hands on his hips. “You want to take your hands off my wife?”

  “What?” I release her, stepping back with wide eyes, as she starts laughing.

  “Annabelle,” she says, slowly, pointing at herself.

  “No.” I start to laugh in utter shock. “I’m so sorry. I thought for sure…I mean, the dress…shite.” The three of us laugh at my mistake. “I can’t believe it. You look just like her.”

  “It’s the dress.”

  “Yes. I see the differences now. My apologies for manhandling you.”

  “But you had no qualms about manhandling my sister?”

  “No, but perhaps she would have balked.”

  “Or not.”

  “Want a drink?” David asks, thankfully changing the subject.

  “No.” I glance at my watch. “Is Avery almost ready?”

  “She is,” Annabelle says. “She’ll be down in a moment. I was just playing dress up in her wardrobe.”

  David grins. “That’s a damn nice dress.” He wiggles his eyebrows at her. “I think you should keep it on for a bit.”

  She laughs. “You got it.”

  We all look up when we hear the sound of Avery’s shoes on the wood steps. When she comes into view, I can’t fight back the smile. Her long dark hair is pinned back from her face, but falls in loose waves over her shoulders and down her back, like a waterfall of brown silk. The black dress she wears, the one I recognize from the night we met, is elegant and demure. She’s all covered up with a smart blazer, knee high boots, and tights. Perfect.

  “Hi,” she says, smiling. “Do I look alright?”

  “Amazing, actually.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Welcome.” As she approaches, I feel a flutter in my stomach I’m quite unaccustomed to. She makes me feel all sorts of foreign emotions I haven’t yet been able to define. I quickly remind myself we are coworkers, nothing more, but the way she’s looking at me right now, makes that difficult to remember. “Shall we go?”

  “Yeah.” She turns to David and Annabelle. “See ya, guys.”

  “Have fun,” her sister says.

  “I will.”

  I lead her out to the car. “Guess what I did?”

 
; She looks up at me. “What?”

  “I thought your sister was you when she answered the door, and I pulled her into my arms and told her the dress was amazing but too sexy for dinner with mum.”

  Avery laughs. “How did she react?”

  “She was shocked. Fortunately, David provided much needed clarity.”

  “That’s priceless.”

  “She looked just like you with her hair down and a sexy red dress on. Once she started talking, I could see my mistake, but for a moment…”

  “So if you thought it was me,” she says, softly pressing against me. “What were you gonna do? Kiss me?”

  “I don’t know what I planned to do. It was an impulsive reaction, but I think it’s clear that you should never wear that dress around me.”

  She smiles, sliding away from me and into her seat. How I’ll get through this night without attacking her is beyond me at this point.

  After joining her, I start the car and drive off towards my mother’s home. When I told her I was bringing a friend, it took me ten minutes to convince her she’s just that, and not a romantic option. I think my mum believes me now. I just wish I believed myself.

  “Is it far?” Avery asks.

  “Not too far from here.”

  “Anything I should know?”

  “Let’s see. My mum is very sweet, loving, but she’s anxious for her eldest son to marry and produce an heir.”

  “An heir?” She laughs softly. “Oh, right, because she’s the queen.”

  “Exactly.” I wink. “I’ve assured her that you are my friend and colleague, and not my girlfriend, but she may pry. Mums do that.”

  “Yeah, they do. Do you have siblings?”

  “A brother. He’ll likely be there. It should be a quiet evening though.”

  “Okay. Any off limit topics?”

  “No. I have nothing to hide from you or my family.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’ll be asked about your life. Answer whatever you feel comfortable with. I took the liberty of sharing with my mum about your parents so it doesn’t come up.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Of course.” I reach for her hand, squeezing briefly. “If you are nervous, please don’t be. My mum’s home is the safest place on earth in my opinion.”

  “I’m nervous, but just because…” She exhales slowly. “I’m not sure actually. I guess I want her to like me.”