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.
My hands sweat in my pockets, so I pull them out and surreptitiously wipe them on the bottom of my coat.
I reach in my cross-body bag and pull out my door key. Stone waits quietly as I unlock. My security system starts beeping, but I have a fob on my key chain to shut it off so I don’t have to walk in and punch the code into the panel.
I don’t want to break the valuable proximity already established between us for a good-night kiss, if that is his intent.
I turn around, face Stone, and smile. His hands are still in his coat pockets, and he smiles back.
“Thank you for dinner, again.” Every time we’ve gone out for anything, he always pays. He joked about it one time when I tried to get him to let me pay, saying he was wealthier than I was. Which is not true. I’m sure he’s got a good contract with the Titans, but I’m old-money wealthy.
I didn’t argue with him, though, because he makes sufficient money that it doesn’t hurt his wallet to buy me a meal or two.
And maybe I like the fantasy that he enjoys taking me out.
Stone remains quiet and unmoving. Nervous, I start to babble. “Next time, dinner is on me. I insist.”
“If you insist,” he says with a grin.
Now, see? That’s just confounding.
Gallant Stone, who I know is attracted to me but can’t seem to make a move, just refused the bait. I gave him the opportunity to insist on continuing to pay for dinner, which would suggest something more than friends, right?
Oh my God. I’m actually going crazy. I have to stop this.
I take a step back to my threshold. “All right, then… I know I won’t see you tomorrow before the game, so good luck. I’ll be the one screaming the loudest.”