Jesus… what is wrong with some women? I’m out on a date and…
Whoa, wait.
Not a date.
I try to smile as Harlow continues to snap photos and the women do silly poses and pouty faces.
Then the blond’s hand starts to slide south again, and I pull away from the group, growling. “That’s enough.”
Harlow looks shocked, so I try to smooth it over. I take the phone from her and hand it back to the owner. “My apologies, but I’d really like to get back to my dinner with my friend.”
Two of the women thank me, but the blond looks pensive. Before walking away, she puts a fingertip to her lips and sucks lightly on the end before winking at me.
It infuriates me that she thinks I’m a done deal. That I’m going to appreciate the number in my pocket and call her.
She pivots away, but I stop her. “Excuse me.”
Triumph lights her eyes, and she shoots a quick glance at Harlow, who has taken her seat again, watches with curiosity.
I pull the number out of my pocket. “You might as well take this back. I’m not interested.”
The blond’s face flushes and her eyes narrow. She cuts a sharp look at Harlow and then back to me. “Seriously? You’re turning this down?” She waves a hand to indicate her curvy body.
“Yeah, you’re definitely not my type.”
Eyes flashing with anger, she flips her hair. “Your loss, baby. I would’ve made your eyes roll in the back of your head.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” I say politely and retake my chair. When the blond storms off, I give my attention to Harlow.
She’s smirking. “Wow. You’re a popular guy.”
“That shit irritates me,” I mutter. “Believe it or not, guys don’t like being pawed at any more than women do.”
“I don’t believe it for a second.” She laughs.
“Well, most guys and in most circumstances,” I amend.
Harlow twists and watches the blond leave before turning back to me. “Be honest. There’s been a circumstance or two where you would have called a woman like that.”
I can’t lie to Harlow, even though I’m not sure I want her to know this about me. “Yeah… there’s been a circumstance or two.”
She nods pensively, and I wonder if I’ve disgusted her. “Suppose it comes with the territory.”
“Not this territory,” I reply, waving at our table.
And I leave it at that.
The waiter comes with our waters and recites the specials. We need more time to look over the menus and as we do, we lapse into conversation that has nothing to do with puck bunnies, hockey games, dead brothers, or asshole fathers.
We talk about movies, books, and dogs. She offers recommendations for all the things I need to do here in Pittsburgh, and we make tentative plans to take a drive to the cabin Brooks left me so I can see it. I need to make a decision whether to sell or keep it.
Dinner is fabulous, and we stretch it out over two hours. It’s not a date, but it sure feels like it. Easy, flowing conversation, shared stories, and hearty laughs. The type of evening you don’t want to end, unless it were to end in bed.
But that’s not what we have together, so I’m going to have to settle for an unexpected friendship that is very valuable to me, just the way it is.
Which means I don’t want to do anything to ruin it.
CHAPTER 19
Harlow
The rain abated, so we have no need for the umbrella on the way back. That means no excuse to walk close to Stone. No excuse to walk with our arms latched at the elbow, smell his subtle cologne, and feel the strength of his body.
Brooks and I used to walk arm in arm all the time. It was what we did as friends, and it meant nothing on a physical level. It should mean nothing with Stone, so I shouldn’t yearn for it.
But two weeks ago, Stone kissed me with such deep intimacy that every time he gets near me, I have a hard time thinking of him as a friend.
Frankly, it’s driving me crazy.
And let’s not even consider that when those women approached him in the restaurant, something happened that made my feelings toward Stone all the more confounding.
At first, I thought it was so sweet that fans wanted his autograph, as it symbolizes that Stone is truly becoming a member of the Titans. He’s clicking with this community, which is something I know has recently become important to him.
But when that blond sidled in closer and turned her body toward his rather than standing hip to hip as the others were, something ugly and green flared within. I actually felt proprietary toward Stone, and it irritates the hell out of me that I felt that way. After all, I’m the one who drew the line between us.
I find it interesting that Stone audibly called out the woman for her temerity in front of me. I almost get the feeling that he wouldn’t have done that if I wasn’t there, but I don’t think he would’ve taken her up on the offer. She seemed a little too into herself, and while Stone admitted to partaking in those opportunities in the past, I know that he needs a bit of substance, and she clearly doesn’t have any.
So why did he make such a point to call her out? Was he conveying a message to me?
Or am I simply looking for things that aren’t there?
Do I want things to be different?
The nature of our relationship has almost flipped a hundred and eighty degrees since the first time he stormed into my office. In just a few short weeks, he’s become one of my closest friends.
A horrible thought strikes me hard… am I using Stone to replace Brooks?
And if that’s the case, am I focusing on my physical attraction and wondering if this could be something more because I’m subconsciously feeling like I’m replacing Brooks’s friendship? It’s not sitting right with me.
Christ… I’m fucked up.
“You’re coming to the game tomorrow, right?” Stone asks.
I blink, startled by his question. That seems to happen a lot… getting lost in thoughts about Stone. I’ve even caught myself daydreaming at work about what could be.
I smile and tip my head at him as we walk. “Am I a season ticket holder?”
He glares at me. “I would hope you’d come to cheer me on and not just because you’re a season ticket holder.”
I shrug and tuck my hands deeper into my pockets. “I suppose there’s that.”
Stone laughs, and it feels like we are good friends, nothing more.
Inside our building, we approach Stone’s door first. Normally, we just break apart at this point, wishing each other good night. But he doesn’t hesitate and moves past it, walking with me to my door.
It’s nothing more than being gentlemanly and seeing me to my home. I mean, there is no danger. Nobody’s going to attack me between here and there, but he’s being a gallant, good guy.
Or is this something more?
Does this mean that something has changed? Is this more than him just exhibiting good manners? Is he reluctant to leave my company for the evening?
Is he planning to kiss me?
The thought of it sends a thrill racing up my spine. If Stone were to kiss me tonight, it would be for all the right reasons. It would not be to ease his pain, and I would not be a distraction. It would be simply because he’s attracted to me and he desires me.