Mind the Line

by Jennifer Domenico

  Reaching out, I drag my fingers down her cheek. “Why don’t we have a cup of tea, read the Sunday news, and not worry about defining things that don’t require it. We don’t have to label it. We just…” I half shrug. “We can just be us and figure things out when we get to them. What do you say?”

  “I say yes.”

  Thirty minutes later, after popping by my place to pick up tea and freshen up, I arrive back at Avery’s and enter to hear her humming inside the kitchen. I start to walk to her, but then pause, just admiring this moment. I would very much like to start each day waking up to those eyes, that smile, this voice.

  Surprising me, she comes out of the kitchen and stops, smiling. “Hey you.”

  “Hi.”

  “I made your tea already. There was still some here.”

  “Oh right. Thank you.”

  “No problem.” She breezes by me carrying two saucers, coffee for her and tea for me. Her hair is now piled on top of her head, and her face freshly washed, erasing all signs of last night’s makeup. I join her on the couch where she sits cross-legged and sips her coffee.

  “Can you believe we go to Paris on Friday?” she asks.

  “It’s very exciting.”

  “Yeah, it is. You’ve been there before?”

  “A few times, yes, but I haven’t really taken time to explore.”

  “We’ll make time.”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you worked on your speech?”

  “I have.”

  “Ooh, can I read it?”

  “No. It’s a surprise.” I grin, sipping my tea. “You’ll hear it if I win.”

  She smiles. “Fine. Keep me in suspense.”

  “I plan to.” I set my saucer down. “Did you find a gown to wear?”

  “Yes. I found it online and it just arrived a couple of days ago.”

  “May I see it?”

  She grins. “No. You can see it the day of the ball.”

  I bow my head towards her. “Well played, love.”

  “Thanks.”

  I study her breathtaking face for a moment before speaking again. “Do you remember the first time I called you love and you were so angry with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “But I just did and you did not react.”

  “A lot’s changed.” She gazes down at her cup, then back up at me. “I actually really like it. You sound super sexy when you say it, and I like that it’s aimed at me. I mean, I get that it’s just a saying. It doesn’t really mean anything, but I still like it.”

  “It means something. I don’t say it to all women or even most women. I only say it when I’m truly enchanted.”

  “Truly enchanted?” She smiles. “English men are so hot.”

  I laugh softly. “Are we?”

  “No one in America would ever say truly enchanted. I don’t think, anyway.”

  “How would an American express this?”

  She shrugs. “I don’t know. He’d probably say he only says it when he likes someone. Or when he’s attracted to someone. Enchanted sounds a lot nicer.”

  “It is what I am, and have been, since the day we met.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No, Avery, thank you. You’ve done so much for me in such a short time.”

  “Same here.”

  As she flashes her eyes at me through thick black lashes, sipping her coffee, with such a seductive smile on her lips, it strikes me that unless I plan to lay her out on this couch right now, I better get away from her. “I’m going to leave now.”

  She tilts her head. “Why? I thought we were gonna hang out? You don’t want to?”

  “More than anything, but I think it’s best if I go and give us both a bit of space to…” I shake my head, trying to find the words. “Process, I guess is the best word. Process this dynamic between us. If I stay any longer I will most assuredly attempt a seduction.”

  She nods. “Got it. At least your honest.”

  “I cannot be anything but.” I cup her cheek, moving close enough to plant a peck on her forehead, smiling when I hear her breath catch. “I do pray the day comes that I will not leave.”

  “Me too,” she whispers.

  Leaning back, I let my hand fall away. “Enjoy your day and prepare for Paris.”

  “You too.”

  “See you soon.”

  “You will.”

  I stand to leave, but as I do, Avery stands and wraps her arms around my waist holding me close. I let my hands slide down her back wishing she was mine to touch the way I want to. Mine to kiss. Mine to make love to. Just mine.

  When she steps back, she smiles. “Bye, Ellis.”

  “Bye.”

  I walk out, exhaling slowly as I do. She is so deeply beneath my skin, I’m no longer certain where the separation exists. I’m no longer certain what to call our relationship. I’m no longer certain how strong my will is. I was determined to maintain a professional distance, but as each day passes, with each interaction, my resolve weakens. As I enter my own flat and sink down into my couch, I rub my forehead. I cannot define what this is between us, but I am certain I’ve never felt like this before. I am certain that Avery Kennedy has enraptured me like no other woman. I sigh as my thoughts fill with Paris. This trip will likely be the most challenging test to mind the line. If we pass it, we come back to London the same as we left it. If we fail, we come back as lovers.

  Now, to decide which outcome I prefer.

  Chapter 24 Avery

  After Ellis leaves, I sit back on the sofa, staring out the glass doors in front of me. As I recall the night and this morning, a smile creeps onto my lips. He’s so much warmer and kinder than I thought he was. All he needed to put his guard down was for someone to care. I pick up my phone and read through the gossip blips about us from last night. It went exactly as planned. The picture of me and Luke leaving the restaurant, looking cozy, came out how I hoped. We look like we’re about to get it on, and that’s precisely what one of us had planned. Ellis on the other hand, looks confident but not as into his date as I had hoped. He does have his hand on her low back though as they enter the car, which is good. She’s a beautiful woman, but not at all what I would envision him gravitating to. She looks like a young Jackie O with her black hair tucked into an elegant chignon and simple shift dress. She does gaze at Ellis adoringly though and I chuckle softly. He didn’t even want to go. The poor woman never stood a chance.

  As I set my phone down, my thoughts drift to my upcoming trip. I’m excited, but nervous at the same time. If there is any media there, we can’t let them know about our shared attraction. They’ll never let it go. The best thing we can do is keep it hidden. Just exactly how we’ll do that is a mystery.

  I stand to refill my coffee when my sister’s name shows up on the caller ID on my phone.

  “Hey, you,” I answer.

  “Hey. What are you doing?”

  “Just having some coffee. You?”

  “Same. Well, tea. I just called to say hi and see how you’re feeling about your trip this weekend.”

  “Good. Nervous.” A staccato laugh escapes my lips. “A hot mess if I’m honest.”

  Annabelle laughs. “I bet. How are things with Ellis?”

  “He spent the night.”

  “I’m sorry? What now?”

  I laugh. “Not like that. We both had dates last night that were shit and ended up hanging out here and talking until we both fell asleep on the couch.”

  “Back up a sec. You both had dates?”

  “I’ll catch you up.” I take a few minutes to explain the media attention, our planned dates, and how we ended up sleeping on my couch.

  “Ah, okay. All makes sense now. So hot tattoo dude pulled it out.”

  “Sure the hell did. Guess he thought it was how us American birds roll.”

  “Is that what he called you?”

  “Yup.”

  “Oh my goodness. What a piece of shit. How was waking up with Ellis?”

 
; “Pretty awesome. I haven’t really done anything like that with someone I wasn’t screwing, you know?”

  “I understand. It’s very interesting that he made you feel okay with it.”

  “Part of it was too much scotch I’m sure.”

  “Really? If he came over tonight and wanted to do it again you would say no?”

  I don’t even have to consider her question. “No.”

  “You liked it?”

  “Yep.”

  She laughs. “Just a matter of time now. Impending hot monkey sex.”

  “Stop.” I shake my head as I laugh. “We have this saying that keeps coming up between us. Mind the line. We’re both committed to that until our professional relationship is dissolved.”

  “I have a saying too.”

  “And that is?”

  “Which came first, the chicken or the egg.”

  I scrunch my forehead. “That’s not your saying and how exactly is it relevant right now?”

  “It’s relevant because something is going to happen that dissolves your working relationship. Either the accusations are dismissed. That’s the chicken. Or hot monkey sex. That’s the egg. I’m just wondering which one will be first.”

  “That’s a dumb analogy.”

  She laughs softly. “I think it’s clever.”

  “It’s silly.”

  “Fine, but tell me you don’t want the egg?”

  “I definitely want the egg. I’ve never once denied that, but I want the chicken first. I’m determined to fix this for him. He trusts me and I can do it. I know I can.”

  “Of course you can.”

  “Paris will be a test of our willpower, but we’ve made it this far. We can make it a little longer.”

  “You’re right. I shouldn’t tease you. It just tickles me to think that you and Ellis could end up in a relationship. Then eggs every day.”

  I laugh. “Still silly.”

  “Still clever. What will you buy me in Paris?”

  “What do you want?”

  “I don’t know. Something super French.”

  “I’ll find you something nice.”

  “I know. Will you and Ellis come to dinner on Wednesday?”

  “I will. I can’t answer for him.”

  “Sure, you can’t. I’ll put you down for two. Shall I serve a soufflé?”

  “Is that some kind of egg joke again?”

  She laughs. “I was thinking in honor of France, but the egg joke works too.”

  I laugh too. “Soufflé it is. See you Wednesday.”

  “Great. Have a good day, sis.”

  “You too.”

  Hanging up, I lean back on the couch again with a grin on my face. I definitely want to get past the professional part of this with Ellis. I have no idea what the other side is like, but I can’t hardly wait to find out.

  ◆◆◆

  On Wednesday night, as we make our way to David and Annabelle’s, I glance at Ellis as he drives. He catches me more than once, winks at me, and then shifts his attention back to the road. I’ve noticed how over the weeks we’ve settled into a comfortable space with each other when we’re together now. Yes, the ubiquitous sexual tension always clings to us, like the dense morning fog that hovers above the Thames River, but aside from that, I love being with him just doing simple everyday things. We talk about schedules and events and boring mundane things, but I still like it. Even now, heading to my sister’s house, we haven’t spoken barely a word since we left the apartment, but it’s okay. We don’t need to. I’m content with him even in the silence— a feeling I haven’t experienced in a long time, and definitely not with or because of a man.

  We pull up to a stoplight and he turns to me, smiling. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Nothing really. I was just enjoying this.”

  “This?”

  I half shrug. “This time with you.”

  He chuckles as he resumes driving. “Remember when you desired to get your asshole waxed rather than spend time with me?”

  I cringe as I laugh softly. “Uh, yeah.”

  “I came at you so boorish with all my British arrogant pride.”

  “Which, generally speaking, the British aren’t known for being braggarts.”

  “I’ve never been one to fall into the fold.”

  “You definitely stand out from the crowd.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “It’s meant as one.”

  He pats my hand. “Thank you, Avery.”

  Not long after we pull into the driveway of the place where we first met. It hasn’t been that long, but it feels like it was ages ago when I first saw this blue-eyed cocky, sexy as fuck, walking masterpiece of a man. I stifle a laugh at my internal description of him. He is all those things, but what I didn’t know then is that he’s sweet, thoughtful, wounded. He’s a gentleman and I want the world to know it. As I glance up at him while exciting the car, another thought hits me. I want to heal his wounds in more ways than one. Not just the ones he suffered from this unjustified claim, but the ones that have made him just like me. Maybe by healing his, I can heal my own.

  Our bodies brush together as he closes the car door, and I look up at him as his face is washed in the light from the porch. Neither of us speak, but stand silent, searching each other’s eyes. Our reverie is broken when we hear the front door open and David peers out.

  “Are you coming in? It’s bloody cold out there.”

  Ellis chuckles. “We’re coming, mate.” He smiles at me as we walk inside.

  After peeling out of my coat, my eyes shift back to the handsome man watching me with

  hooded eyes. “What?”

  ​“Can’t a man just stare at a woman whose beauty leaves him breathless?”

  “Stop that.” I grin in spite of myself. “Mind the line, Ellis.”

  He draws an imaginary line between us with his foot. “Have I crossed it?”

  “No, but being so sweet is a sure way to get me to cross it.”

  He shakes his head. “Won’t happen. You have the willpower of a saint.”

  That’s what he thinks. “Let’s join David and Annabelle.”

  “Let’s.”

  When we enter the kitchen, they already have two scotch and sodas waiting for us. We lift our glasses, toast, and sip.

  “Smells fantastic in here,” Ellis says. “What’s on the menu?”

  “Cheese soufflé,” Annabelle answers, with a barely veiled grin on her face. I narrow my eyes at her, then she laughs out loud.

  “What’s so funny?” David asks, as his eyes shift between me and my sister.

  “Nothing. Right, Annabelle?”

  “Not true, sister. We were talking the other day about how much we both love eggs.”

  Ellis’s brow furrows as he nudges David’s arm. “I sense a private joke that you and I are not privy to, mate.”

  “No private joke.” I shake my head as I speak. “We just like eggs.”

  “That’s a good thing,” David says. “You’ll like them even more when you taste our meal. Annabelle has mastered the art of an airy, delicious soufflé.”

  “In honor of your trip to Paris,” she says winking at me.

  “Thanks.”

  Ellis and I take our seats at the table, then he leans close to me. “I hate eggs.”

  I burst into laughter. “Oh no.”

  “Don’t tell your sister. I’ll get through it.”

  “Maybe it will taste really good and you won’t notice the egg.”

  “I do hope. It smells so good I wouldn’t have guessed it was eggs cooking.”

  “To me it smells like pork and cheese, and who couldn’t like that?”

  “Yes, it does smell heavenly.”

  We both look up as David comes out carrying a big bowl of salad and a bread basket.

  “Bacon and arugula salad and toasted baguette.”

  “Mmm,” I say inhaling the scent of the bread. “Smells so good.”

&nb
sp; “Annabelle will be here in a moment with her masterpiece. Get ready for the show. It’s quite spectacular.”

  All three of us turn toward the kitchen when she comes out carrying a white dish with a gorgeous brown cloud of fluffiness billowing over the edges. She sets it down gently as we all gaze at it for a moment.

  “It’s beautiful, sis.”

  “Indeed,” Ellis offers. “Well done.”

  “Thank you.” She beams. “Our mom taught me to make it, and I could never get it to rise properly until just a few years ago.”

  “She’d be proud.” I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. “I’m glad one of us paid attention to her lessons.”

  Annabelle smiles. “Me too. We can have a little bit of her here with us.”

  “You can’t cook at all?” David asks me.

  “Not well. I get by with some simple things, but I was really good at ordering in. My lifestyle in L.A. made it hard too. I always had to be out somewhere.”

  “Well,” Ellis says. “It’s a good thing I cook then.” All three of us look at him. “What did I say?”

  David chuckles. “Sounded like you were saying since you cook Avery doesn’t have anything to worry about.”

  “She doesn’t. We live next door to each other. Certainly there’s always enough for two.”

  He’s so nonchalant in his response I almost believe him.

  “Right, mate. That’s what you meant.”

  Ellis grins at his friend while Annabelle starts to serve all of us her soufflé. Ellis looks down at his plate as David adds a grilled sausage to it. After letting it cool a moment, he takes a bite of the soufflé, and I grin as a genuine smile tugs at his lips.

  “This is incredible. It’s so light and doesn’t taste eggy at all. What’s in it?”

  “Lots and lots of cheese.” Annabelle laughs after she answers.

  “Well it’s delightful. I’ve honestly never enjoyed this dish before, but I do now.”

  “I’m glad I could make you a convert.”

  “Wholeheartedly.” He winks at me. “Apparently, I can like eggs.”

  “Eggs are good.”

  Annabelle giggles again, and I shoot her a look as both men watch us for a moment. We eat quietly for a few minutes, until Ellis speaks.

  “Is it true that twins have a secret language between them?”