Shot in the Dark (Blackbridge Security 2)

“When you mentioned purple hair, I was hoping it was you. My fingers have been crossed all day.”

I spin around to face the man speaking to me and nearly show my hand by squealing as much as I did when I spotted Sarah through my peephole earlier.

“Y-you’re Wasp?”

He nods, his perfect teeth digging into his bottom lip. It draws nearly all of my focus.

“Can I get you a drink?”

“Huh?”

I flirted with this guy yesterday. That interaction on the elevator made me want to get out and live more. That interaction was why I told Wasp I’d finally meet him, and now I’m standing here like someone who just had a lobotomy.

“A drink? Coffee? Tea? Soda? Maybe a sandwich? They have an excellent pita here.”

“Tea,” I hiss out, feeling like a fool. “Iced green tea.”

I reach for my wallet, but he presses his palm to the top of my arm. “Find us a seat. I got this.”

I turn around, my back to him and look around for Sarah. She’s wide-eyed and grinning when my eyes land on her.

He’s so fucking hot, she mouths.

Is this my life right now? I mouth back.

There are several empty tables available, and I choose the one close to another couple because others seem to be working away on laptops, and I don’t want to bother them while they’re working. Besides, I know some people come to coffee shops to listen to gossip, and the very last thing I need is for my story to end up in some book.

“I can’t believe it’s actually you,” I tell him when he approaches with both of our drinks.

“I’m a little stunned myself.”

“Can I be honest?”

“This never goes well.”

I dip my head, wrapping my lips around my straw, pulling a long sip into my mouth before looking back up at him.

“I was feeling guilty for flirting with you last night.”

“Online or in the elevator?”

I can feel my cheeks heat. “Both.”

“You didn’t have to tell me that.”

“I think honesty is always the right choice.”

“Honesty?” He mulls that over a little, his eyes staying on mine as he also takes a sip of some clear liquid over ice. “Always a good policy.”

He doesn’t seem offended when he could’ve easily been annoyed for me bringing up the fact that I was flirting with what I thought were two different men.

“I feel like I already know you, but we just met.”

“It’s weird isn’t it?” I ask. “This is unreal. We live in the same building.”

“We’ve both smuggled pets into our apartments.”

“I would move if they discovered Simon.”

“You just have to pay the front desk people to keep their mouths shut.”

I sigh, never having thought of that.

“I miss Adrian,” we both say at the same time, laughing when we realize what just happened.

“He was great,” I tell him, keeping my mouth closed about Tori, the new girl. The last thing I want to do is sound petty in front of him. Besides, maybe she was having a bad day. “Can I ask you something?”

“Ask me anything.”

“Anything? Because you may actually regret that.”

He grins, and I could stare at his pretty eyes all damn day and never get bored.

“Anything.”

“Why WASP NEST? You work in computers so you must know at least some things about him.”

“I know everything about him.” He takes another long sip, his eyes still focused on mine. “His favorite color is orange, but don’t tell his nana because she has thought it’s blue for the last twenty years. He didn’t go to college despite the rumors floating around online. He still has a full-time job that he loves most of the time, and Sprite is his favorite drink of choice.”

My eyes dart down to the clear liquid swimming in ice before darting back up to his. They sparkle, shining with mischief.

“No,” I gasp, but I can tell by the look on his face that he’s being honest. “Really?”

“Can I trust you with my secret?”

“Yes,” I pant, falling in love and resisting the urge to fangirl all at the same time.

His phone buzzes on the table several times before he decides to pick it up. I keep my eyes on him no matter how curious I am about who’s blowing up his phone.

“Damn it,” he mutters, looking down at the device. “I have to go.”

Disappointment surrounds me. I could stay here all day talking to him.

“Okay.”

“Can I walk you back?”

“Sure.” Since I know we live in the same apartment building, I don’t find the request weird.

He’s the real Wasp Nest, the guy I’ve been getting to know with daily interactions for the last month and feel completely comfortable with him. I can’t remember the last time I met someone and wasn’t swarmed with suspicion, talking myself out of letting someone get close to me because I was afraid of being used or manipulated. I don’t know what to do with the suddenly free sensations it’s causing.