A deep-seated fear bubbles to the surface. It’s one I’ve tried not to think about without knowing any specifics. But it’s always there in the back of my mind.
What if I lose my job?
What if I sign a new lease and then lose my job?
How long can I stay at Rad’s? Those details haven’t been worked out. I know that I refuse to be a burden to him or cramp his lifestyle.
What if I end up back in Texas after all? I’d have to get new certifications, and would I return to my parents' house? Tail tucked between my legs . . . Off the top of my head, I reply, “There are other centers I can transfer to.”
She nods, and when I glance at Marlow, she’s staring at her lap. This topic is a real downer. My stomach interjects its own opinion with a growl.
Marlow sits up abruptly. “Hey, how about we go out for dinner? My treat.”
I suggest, “There’s a new Thai restaurant one subway station away. I’ve been wanting to try it.”
“Thai sounds great,” Marlow starts while slipping her heels back on, “but Louboutins do not belong on the subway.”
Cammie pops up. “No worries. I’ll order a car.”
As I slip on my sneakers, I listen to them chatting about everything and nothing. It’s good to be surrounded by the sound of friends and them showing up without me even asking—I’m a lucky girl.
I just hope that it carries me through this stint at Rad’s and that moving in with him will only bring us closer and not the alternative. Although it feels a lot like everything’s on the line, I suck down my worries and grab my purse.
Marlow opens the door. “You ready?”
For dinner or Rad? Either way, I say, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
11
Rad
“Hey, you,” Tealey says, smiling like I just brought the sunshine with me. “You’re full of surprises lately.”
When she greets me in the lobby of her workplace, her light hair is in its usual state of catastrophe on top of her head, and honestly, I find it so incredibly sexy, but the temptation to pull the pencils holding it together is strong. Flushed cheeks match her lips, all under sky-blue eyes hidden behind glasses I didn’t know she wore.
The past few days have felt longer than usual, and now I understand it’s because I haven’t seen her.
“Yeah, it’s called fucking off.” Why am I sweating? You’d think I wasn’t a seasoned attorney used to intense situations. Is this intense? It shouldn’t be. I tug at my shirt to allow air under my collar.
Her laughter fills my ear. “I have my share of struggling-to-concentrate days. More lately. What’s going on?”
I dig in my pocket and hold the metal tight in my hand. When I open my palm, the only excuse I could come up with to see her today lies in it. “I had a key made for you. Wasn’t sure if you want to move over tonight.”
My other hand tightens around the brown paper bag, crinkling in the quiet of the office. We both glance down, but I use the time to look her over. The tail of her white shirt hangs loose in the back over a baggy gray skirt, leaving no figure to be found. I already miss her sexy little body I was eyeing the other night when she was revealing her shoulder and those great legs. And I haven’t been able to get her ass off my mind all day. Hence, the special delivery, which now feels like an utterly ridiculous idea as I stand in front of her.
When her glasses slip down her nose, she’s quick to adjust them with her index finger. Turning shyly to the side, she takes them off and tucks them in her pocket. With her other hand, she takes the key, the tips of her nails scraping gently across my skin. “You didn’t have to bring it all the way to Brooklyn.”
“No trouble.”
“Thanks,” she says. “The girls helped me finish packing last night. It’s only a day early, but I’m looking forward to sleeping in your bed.” Embarrassment flashes through her eyes. “My bed. The spare bed.”
Chuckling, I hold up the bag to help her out. “I also brought you lunch.”
She blinks twice as her brows rise in surprise. “That’s so sweet, but you didn’t have to do that.”
“I heard you were working through lunch.”
“Just making up the hours I needed to leave early this week. How’d you hear?”
“Jackson ran into Marlow last night.”
“Ah.” Tugging at her skirt, she seems to give up on the ill-fitting garment and reaches for the bag. “What did you bring me, Rad?”
I’m about to respond, but she closes her eyes and takes a deep inhale, exhaling with a moan that has my body unable to decipher between her craving the food or having her in my bed. Dirty thoughts I shouldn’t be having rush my veins.