I yelled as she was swallowed up by the crowd, “Friday night!”
Her eyes widened—
“Next Friday night,” I clarified.
She was still pointing at me, but switched to give me a thumbs-up instead.
My weekend came and went. It was fine. I found a bookstore and spent Sunday there, curled up with a book in one of the chairs. The next week passed just as uneventfully. Every morning, I looked at the clock. Cole was on my mind. I could’ve gone to run with him, but I never went. I was a chicken shit, but then one day I wasn’t. I actually stood. My mind was made up. My chest tightened, and butterflies whipped around in me as I grabbed my sneakers and dressed. I had my headphones in hand and got to the elevator, only to not push the button.
I couldn’t do it.
I was too nervous.
I hadn’t heard from Sia since yesterday, and today was slumber party day, but I hadn’t expected to. She had an event at the Gala last night. I loaded up on wine, and got tequila for her. Promising a slumber party was one thing, but actually following through was another. If the situation were reversed, I’d have a hard time staying four floors under the new man in my life. I figured she’d spend the evening with me, maybe even stay late, but once the tequila was in full effect, she’d sneak up to his floor. I planned to let her know she didn’t need to sneak.
Seven o’clock rolled around, and she sent no word. I texted, asking if she was running late.
Eight o’clock.
Nine o’clock.
She should’ve called me by now.
I waited till nine thirty, then checked my phone. No text. No call. No email. I got on Instagram and went to her page. There it was: a selfie of her and Jake wearing Hawks jerseys. They were at the hockey game.
I’d been stood up.
Maybe my subconscious took me there.
Maybe I needed to run off some steam. Maybe I needed to get out of my apartment… I couldn’t think of any other reasons, so maybe, just maybe I went to the running track looking for Cole. There. I admitted it. My friend stood me up for a boyfriend, and I went in search of the man I’d been too much of a coward to seek out all week.
I pushed through the door and jogged a few feet before stopping. Then I just stood there. I wasn’t dressed for running. I was barely dressed for anything. Pajamas. A white tank top over short sleeping shorts. Thank God, I’d grabbed a robe. I was dressed and ready for what was supposed to have been my night.
I knew he wasn’t here. It was foolish to think he would be. He ran in the mornings. He told me himself. And it was Friday, almost ten at night.
A bitter laugh escaped me, sending a puff of white breath into the air. It was chillier than usual in here. I closed my eyes, feeling the cold now, and I turned around to head back.
“It’s Friday night.” His voice stopped me. He stood right inside the door, and his eyes raked over me. “And you’re wearing panda pajamas.” He shook his head, his dark eyes twinkling. “You know, sometimes I wonder how smart I am, but I’m deducing you didn’t come in here to work out.”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I just stared at him, taking him all in. He wore nice, custom-tailored-looking jeans and a black shirt under a black leather jacket. He was beautiful in his rich, bad-boy way.
“You’re going out.” My hand lifted toward him, then fell back at my side.
I cursed myself. Even now, even knowing what I was getting myself into when I came down here, I was still reduced to a teenager. I felt a blush in my cheeks, like I always had when I talked to a crush. I swallowed and forced out a quiet sigh. I really did need to get a handle on my hormones. They were too old for this ridiculousness.
He chuckled and shoved his hands into the leather jacket’s pockets, pulling it tighter against his shoulders. My mouth watered.
“Unlike you, who must have fun plans this evening, I promised a friend I’d check in on his restaurant. He’s out of town and just recently bought it.” His eyes narrowed, and his head cocked to the side. “Are you going to bed like that, or are you going to a pajama party somewhere?”
My blush was at full force. I felt it creeping down my neck. “Neither. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“You don’t?”
“I thought a friend was down here.”
“Friend?” He pointed to himself, stepping forward. “Me?”
“No. I—” This was stupid. “Yes. You.”
A smirk showed on his face, and he took another step closer. “Well, isn’t this a coincidence then?”
“You’re gloating.”
He laughed. “Of course I am. You avoided me for an entire week.”
“I did not.”
“Really?” He stopped, standing so close now, and I looked up at him. His eyes stared right down into mine, and I could’ve touched him. All I had to do was reach out. Hell, I could’ve pretended to trip, and he would’ve caught me. I didn’t know this man, but I knew he would do that. I could fall, and he would keep me steady.
I wanted his touch, yearned for it.
“So, what’ll it be?” he asked, his gaze falling to my lips.
I coughed, unable to talk at first. “What do you mean?” I bit my bottom lip. My knees were growing weak.
“I’d like someone to go to this restaurant with me. You must’ve sensed my dire need. I mean…” He gestured down the running lanes. “You came here looking for me. I think it’s destiny. You’re supposed to keep me company so I don’t die of boredom tonight.”