21 Days (Time for Love 2)

Was there nothing that didn’t turn me on about him?

“God, that really hit the spot,” TJ said as he placed the mug on the table in front of him.

I took a small sip of mine and slid the menu toward him. He glanced down at it, then looked back up at me.

“I went out with Cal to the site of the new shop,” he began.

“Oh, how’d that go?”

“Great. The place really is perfect, and as Cal walked through and explained what he wants to do, I could really see his vision.” TJ’s voice got excited as he talked. “I can’t wait to start looking at equipment, and we even have our first customer for restoration. Brock’s brother, Brady, just picked up a 1966 Chevelle Malibu, and wants me to take a look.”

“That’s wonderful,” I gushed. It was wonderful to see TJ get so excited about the prospect of getting back to doing what he loved. “Gwen did mention that Brock had brothers, but I’ve never met them.”

“He has two of them,” TJ said, then paused to put in his order when the waitress came over. Once we’d both ordered our specialty burgers and fries, he turned back to me. “Yeah, um, Brock has two brothers, Brady and Brendan. He’s the oldest and pretty much raised them after their parents died. I think Brady is two years younger and Brendan is three, something like that. They sometimes come out to help with jobs, so I’ve gotten to hang out with them a lot more recently. They’re good guys.”

“Oh, I didn’t know about Brock’s parents, that’s horrible.” I drank some more and asked, “Gaby also mentioned that Brock plays guitar, did you know that?”

TJ chuckled and leaned back in the booth to get more comfortable.

“Yeah, he plays guitar, Brady plays drums, and Brendan sings. Cal and I like to fuck with them and call them Hanson, but they’re actually pretty good. They have an alternative rock sound. I’ve seen them play a couple times. They usually pick up a local gig a couple times a month.”

“That sounds awesome, I’m surprised I never knew that before,” I responded. I’d thought I’d known TJ so well before, but I guess I’d only known stuff that pertained to our group.

“Yeah, well, you’ve never really hung out with Brock, and the only times I’ve seen him play, it’s been just me and Cal. I can let you know next time I’m going to see him, if you want,” he offered.

“I’d really like that,” I said with a smile as our food arrived. I busied myself with putting toppings on my burger, but my mind was working overtime. Did that mean he wanted to see me again in the future … after our allotted time was up? Or was he just asking me as a friend?

“I’m going to tell Brock I’ll take that apartment,” TJ said between bites, dropping a bomb in the middle of our meal. “I don’t think I’ll find another place for that price, and in that location, fully furnished, that rents month to month. It’s probably too good of a deal, and I’m sure Brock has something to do with that, but I’d be foolish not to take it. Plus, I can get in right away, and I won’t break our twenty-one-day deadline.”

“Oh, you know I don’t care about that,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. “If you need to stay longer, you’re more than welcome to.”

“I can’t.” TJ’s eyes seemed to drill in to mine, then he broke contact and looked down at his remaining few fries. “And with this place, I won’t have to. I said I’d get my shit together in twenty-one days, and it looks like I actually will. But I can’t thank you enough for being there when I needed you.”

“Always,” I said softly. I threw money on the table to cover the bill and tip, then took the hand TJ offered and got up from the booth. I followed him outside and sat quietly as we drove to my house.

I felt a myriad of emotions.

Proud of TJ for getting himself back on his feet.

Sad at the thought of him moving out of my house.

Scared of how our relationship would change aft

er he left.

Happy that I’d gotten to spend these last few weeks getting to know him in ways that I never thought possible.

Hopeful that some small miracle would occur and he’d stay with me.

I walked inside and straight into my bedroom. I went to my closet and took out candles, placed them around my room, and lit them. Then I picked up my iPod and put on my Harry Connick Jr. playlist, placing it on the docking station with speakers and letting his smooth voice fill the room. Finally, I opened my drawer and took out the new emerald green satin nightgown that I’d bought with TJ in mind. I took it with me into the bathroom to do a little primping and pampering.

I came out a few minutes later and glanced around the room with a smile, then walked out and down the hall to where TJ was standing with his back to me. He must have heard me enter, because he turned and started to say, “You know, Sasha, we don’t have to …” His words fell off when he saw me standing before him.

His eyes flashed and he set down the phone he’d been messing with.

“You look beautiful,” he said softly as I walked up to him. I stopped in front of him and brought my hand up to take his so I could lead him down the hallway. When we got to my room, I shut the door behind us and ran my hand slowly from his back to his chest, where I paused and leaned up to meet his lips.

His kiss was soft and sensual; there was no rush, only sensations. I brought my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, angling my lips so I could take more. Give more.