Page 33 of False Start

I quirk my lips at him.Is he seriously worried about me?

"Don't worry, Wall Street. I'm a big girl."

He moves further into my apartment, inspecting my living room and kitchen. My drafting table is covered in sketches and charcoals, fabric scraps are strewn across most of my couch and the armchair, and a half-eaten bowl of cereal sits on the counter.

"Sorry it's a little messy," I explain, rushing past him to clear away first the dirty dish, then the fabric from all over the living room. "I wasn't expecting guests."

"It's nice," he says absently, then nearly trips as Madame Purrington comes from the other room to wind around his ankles.

"Well, hello," he coos at her as she weaves yet another figure eight between his legs. He reaches down to scratch behind her ears, and the hussy flops onto her back for the full belly rub treatment.Huh.She doesn't usually warm up this quickly to strangers.

"That ball of fluff is Madame Clawdette Purrington. She's yet another reason I can't keep this place clean."

Cory smiles faintly as he pets her, then abruptly straightens to face me. Clawdette's still purring on the floor, likely displeased her petting session was cut short.

"Alright. No one rocking limited edition green Jordan's doesn't have a killer sneaker collection. I showed you mine." He lifts a mischievous eyebrow. "Will you show me yours?"

I giggle at his innuendo and guide him down the hall.

"FYI, it's messier in here than in the living room," I warn as we push the door to my bedroom open. He nods, taking in my unmade bed, my sewing machine, my dress form, which I modified for the thicker woman, and bolts of fabric leaning against my dresser.

I continue into my walk-in closet. Mine is normal-sized and wasn't done by Marie Kondo, but I do have enough space for twenty pairs of sneakers along with my other shoes.

"I love the Southbank Tag sneaker," he says, reaching past me to pull it from the shelf. I bite back a proud smile.

"Thanks. That's one of my favorites, too. I also love my Retro 'Metallic Gold' Jordans, but I can't wear them too often because of the light color. As you can see," I extend my foot towards him, highlighting my shoe, "black Air Force 1's are better for everyday wear."

It's hard not to feel silly showing off my collection when his closet looks like a YankeeKicks store. Still, he's looking at each pair, like he's actually interested. Suddenly, the air feels tight, and I realize we're standing shoulder to shoulder…in mybedroom.

I clear my throat and gesture towards my door.

"C'mon. I owe you a Middle Eastern feast for helping me today."

He follows when I walk back to the living room.

"It was no big deal."

"It was ahugedeal," I counter. "I was seconds from having a panic attack until Tiff told me I'd have a helper."

I pull two beers from the fridge and grab my binder of takeout menus before settling next to him on the couch. He thumbs through the pages of the binder in my lap.

"You know, there are these nifty new apps available to order food that take up way less space on your counter," he snarks.

I roll my eyes.

"Yes, but those apps can really screw the restaurant with all the extra fees. Plus, a lot of the best spots around here left the order apps years ago." I flip to the Middle Eastern section. "What's your usual order?"

Chapter fifteen

Cory

WhenDenise'slipsclosearound a kofta, I have to adjust myself again.She's so beautiful.Sitting this close to her, alone in her apartment, while she eats foods shaped likemy dick, when it's beenover a weeksince we hooked up? Yeah, I'm having a hard time keeping things friendly.

Unfortunately, that seems to be tonight's vibe. She's returned a few innuendos, but otherwise, this has been nothing but the thank-you dinner she offered. After the way she clammed up last time, I knew a booty call was unlikely. I clearly got too personal.And you want to cut your losses, remember Cory? Before you get in too deep.

I muffle my disgruntled snort with another bite of grape leaves.

God, I was trying to be good! I thought volunteering at her friend's center would help smooth things over with Maya so we can move past my fuck-up. I had no idea Denise was teaching an entire class there, or that I'd be assigned to help her. Cutting my losses was only going to work if I stayed away from her. I can't be expected to resist her if she's going to waltz right back into my life a week after we had mind-blowing sex I still get hard thinking about.

---