“I think he’s keeping something from me,” I blurt out, and the room goes eerily silent.
No one has to speak for me to know what they’re thinking. After a long minute, I can’t take the scrutiny as the irony sets in. I giggle nervously.
“One of you needs to go ahead and say it. I know it’s on the tip of your tongues.”
“I’ll say it. You’re being a hypocrite,” Enrique tells me harshly.
“I was going to say the pot calling the kettle black,” Bessie says softly.
“He’s leaving for work before daylight every day, telling me he’s working on a big project, but he never elaborates. A few days a week, he works out with his brother, whom I’ve yet to meet. And the other day, I offered to bring him lunch, and he started acting cagey, saying he was heading to a site in Brooklyn for the remainder of the day. Doesn’t any of that seem odd?”
Another uncomfortable silence fills the room, and my anxiety spikes again.
“Who wants to tell her?” Enrique’s lips twitch, clearly enjoying this a little too much.
“I’ll do it.” Jonas pins me with his blue eyes, drawing out another few seconds of quietness. “You just set off huge warning bells that scream ‘Clinger Alert’.”
At the term, I flinch and close my eyes. Embarrassment washes over me as my girlfriends laugh.
“How bad was it?”
“I’d say a solid eight on a scale to ten. Not exactly psycho level, but pretty damn close,” Enrique teases. “The guy’s into you, Greer. Meeting his brother, taking him lunch… all that comes in time. Not one of those things gives reason for a red flag.”
“Yes, especially since we’ve already determined you’re not exactly forthcoming with him. If you want him to open up more, maybe you should think about doing the same,” Jenny advises.
“You’re right.”
“Actually, I have the perfect idea. Invite him to come with us in a few weeks. He seems like a guy that could enjoy the outdoors,” Jonas suggests.
“That could work.” The idea of bringing Lawson on our camping trip is a little nerve-wracking, but it could be the perfect way to introduce him more into my life.
“Are we done with the sulking? My ears are bleeding.” Enrique goes back to scowling, but his eyes are bright with humor, giving him away.
“Yes, enough of this. I lost my mind temporarily. Let’s wrap up the last of the analytics and shut it down. It’s time to get back to my boyfriend.”
Jenny digs in her purse and non-discreetly dumps a handful of condoms in my bag. “I’ll bring you more tomorrow.”
“I think we’ll be fine,” I assure her. “By the way, he thinks it’s hilarious you stashed them all over my apartment.”
“I’m assuming, with a man like Lawson, you’ll need a healthy supply. At least, I would if he was banging me. He screams sexual savage, and you don’t want to get caught in the moment.”
“Jesus, can we change the subject? There are some things I don’t need to know,” Jonas hisses.
I clamp my lips together until I can no longer hold it in and burst into laughter. Jenny grins, knowing exactly how right she is.
•8•8•
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere special.” Lawson flattens his palm against my stomach, pulling my back to his chest.
“I thought you were taking me to dinner.” I watch us in the reflection of the elevator doors. His lips graze over the shell of my ear until he reaches my jawline and kisses gently. A shiver of excitement courses through me when his thumb swipes across my breast.
“Before dinner, I want to show you something.”
The elevator dings and he straightens, linking my fingers in his and moving in front of me protectively. The doors open to a massive area lit dimly about twenty feet ahead. The overpowering aroma of sawdust, lumber, and sweat fills the air, and I know we are entering a construction site.
“Stick close, watch your step, and hold tight.”