“Better?” he asked.
All I could do was nod slowly. I’d been struck stupid by Cox’s kiss.
The corner of his mouth lifted again and he regarded me for a few seconds, like maybe he was trying to decide what to do next. Although he was so hard to read, I couldn’t be sure.
“Goddamn, sugar, I wish I could remember more of what happened in Vegas. Because I tell you, I feel like I kissed you and it was something special.”
It was my turn to lick my lips. I could still feel his—feel our mouths tangling. Memories from Vegas mixed with his kiss today, but I knew he was right. He had kissed me like that in Vegas, and it had been something special.
Something amazing.
“I think you did. And it was.”
“Then I’m glad I got to do it again. Sober, this time.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Me too.”
He fingered one of my curls. “Do you feel up to getting something to eat?”
“How bad does my chin look?”
He didn’t even have to answer. I could tell by the slight wince he tried to hide that it was obvious I’d fallen on my face. Literally. “It’s… not too bad.”
I twisted in my seat and flipped down the visor to check in the mirror. Yep, there was a distinct red scrape right on the tip of my chin. The kind of thing you’d see on a three-year-old on the playground. I groaned.
“You know what? I have an idea.” He shut my door, then went around to the driver’s side and got in.
“What’s your idea?”
He pulled out his phone and started typing, then glanced at me with a wink. “You’ll see.”
You’ll see? I wasn’t sure what Cox had in store, but despite my stinging chin, I was excited to find out.
18
Sophie
Cox finished texting and put down his phone, then started the car and pulled out onto the street. “We’ll take the scenic route to give Oliver a little time.”
“Time for what?”
He didn’t answer. Just grinned at me.
“Wait, it’s a Saturday. You’re making poor Oliver work on a weekend?”
“I take very good care of him. He doesn’t mind.”
That seemed to be a theme with Cox. He’d wanted to make something of himself so he could take care of his mother. J.J. the limo driver had said Cox paid so well, he didn’t mind waiting there all night. And it seemed he generously compensated his assistant, too. It was certainly an admirable quality.
Chewing on the inside of my lip, I peeked at him from the corner of my eye. Childhood pigtail pulling aside, I was starting to like him. Really like him.
And that worried me. I didn’t want to get sucked into something I’d regret later.
Although maybe it was already too late.
We drove around for a little while, eventually winding up downtown, at Cox’s building.
“We’re going to your office?” I asked.
“Not exactly. Trust me.”
He parked in the garage and we took the elevator to his floor. Oliver was waiting in the lobby with a big bundle in his arms and two large brown bags on the floor at his feet.
“Good man,” Cox said as he stepped off the elevator.
I followed him out and smiled. “Hi, Oliver.”
“Pleasure to see you, darling.” He handed Cox the bundle. “I got everything you said you needed. Utensils are at the bottom.”
“Excellent.”
“Can I help with anything?” I asked.
Cox picked up one of the brown bags by the handles. “Why don’t you grab the other one?”
Oliver handed me the bag. Something smelled delicious.
“Need anything else?” Oliver asked.
“No, I think we’re set,” Cox said. “I’ll let you go get ready for your date with the tea shop girl.”
Oliver’s smile melted into a scowl. “You’re a wanker. You know that, right?”
“You still haven’t asked her? I thought she was destined to be your wife.”
“Who’s destined to be your wife?” I asked.
“She’s a girl who works in a tea shop, and I don’t know her name, and Cox needs to shut up about it.”
“He needs to get over himself and ask her out,” Cox said. “But what do I know; I’m just a married man.”
I laughed.
Oliver glared at him. “I’m leaving now.”
“Bye Oliver,” I said. “Thank you.”
“Have a lovely evening, Sophie.”
I followed Cox back into the elevator, grateful Oliver hadn’t mentioned the scrape on my chin. We went up a few more floors, to the top, and the doors opened into a hallway. Where were we going?
“Stairs are over here.” He nodded to the right.
“Stairs?”
“To the roof.”
Oh my god. We were going to have dinner on the roof of his building so I didn’t have to go into a restaurant and feel self-conscious about my chin.
Oh man. This was so adorable, it made my insides all melty again.
I was in so much trouble.
We went up a set of stairs that said roof access, then through a thick door, and finally emerged into the evening air.
The lights of the city sparkled in every direction. Skyscrapers, streetlights, construction cranes. The hum of traffic drifted up, sounding faded and far away.
“If I’d had a little more time, I would have gotten us a table and chairs up here,” Cox said. “We’ll have to make do with a picnic.”
“A picnic is great.”
The roof itself was flat with a half-wall around the perimeter that made it feel safe. Vents and mechanical equipment were scattered around. Cox chose an open area not far from the stairwell and set his bundle down.
I helped him spread out a large blanket. Then we set up our dinner picnic.
There was more food than the two of us could possibly eat, but Cox said he had wanted to make sure there would be something I’d like, so he’d had Oliver order a variety. Grilled shrimp with pasta and lemon butter. Baked meatballs with marinara and mozzarella. Chicken with roasted vegetables. And a beef tenderloin with potatoes and asparagus.
Oliver had also packed plates, utensils, napkins, stemless wine glasses, and two bottles of wine—a Pino noir and a chardonnay.
We settled in with our food. I chose the shrimp—it was one of my favorites. Cox opted for the steak.
“How’s your dinner?” he asked.
“It’s amazing. This is really nice. Thank you.”
“No problem, sugar. I figured this way you can just enjoy your meal and not worry about whether anyone notices your chin. Which really doesn’t look that bad, by the way. I can hardly tell.”
“That’s because it’s dark.”
“Maybe. But it’ll heal in no time.”
I touched my chin, but it wasn’t the scrape I was thinking about. It was Cox’s lips on my skin. A little flutter made me shiver.
“Too cold?” he asked, already taking off his jacket.
I started to say I was fine, but he didn’t wait for me to answer. Just draped his jacket around my shoulders.
“There.”