Page 30 of Whatever You Need

She crossed her legs, and suddenly memories of them wrapped around my back had my zipper straining against my pants. “Why is that?” she asked, drawing my attention up to her face.

“Well,” I coughed, “I’d like to think that we both had a good time that night, and I’d like to do that again.”

She looked appalled at that suggestion. “So, you illegally gained my address, which I’m pretty sure goes against policy, and thought it would be a good idea to show up at my home unannounced and ask for a booty call?”

My eyes widened. “Shit, that came out wrong. I’m sorry, Amelia. What I’m trying to say is that I’d like to see you again.”

“With or without my clothes on?” She challenged me with a pointed look.

Was that a trick question? Judging by the way her blue eyes were turning icy, I’d say not. Okay, time for me to backpedal. This was why I preferred casual hookups who already knew the score. I had no idea how to navigate these conversations. What I did know was I didn’t go to the trouble of looking her up just to come here and get shot down.

“I just want to spend some time with you,” I said, trying to defend myself.

“Why? We were only supposed to be for one night.”

“Yet, here I am.” I smiled, trying to use my dimples to my advantage.

She grabbed a throw pillow and placed it on her lap. “I’m sorry I left that morning without saying goodbye.” She looked part embarrassed and part guilty. I didn’t want to admit to her how upset I was when I woke up alone.

I nodded and reached for my wineglass. “Is there any particular reason why you stole my thunder? I’m normally the one who takes off first.”

She gazed at me with a look I couldn’t quite decipher. “I assumed that’s what you wanted.” She held her glass up in the air. “And thanks for the reminder, by the way.”

“I can assure you it wasn’t what I wanted, and I’m sorry if I somehow implied that I did. And if it makes you feel any better, I’m not the player you think I am. I just like to keep things simple.”

She seemed to read the sincerity in my eyes. “I just didn’t want things to be awkward.”

“You mean like now?”

She laughed. “Yeah, like now.”

She seemed to be relaxing a little bit, so I decided to test the waters. “Seeing that you snuck out on me, I’ll pretend that my ego isn’t permanently bruised, if you’ll agree to let me take you out on a date.”

“Marco, you don’t need to bullshit me.”

Amelia had every right to question my motives. While I wasn’t typically a monogamist when it came to women, I wasn’t an asshole either. I just didn’t like worrying about the commitment and pressure that went along with a relationship.

“I don’t need to bullshit you. Just because I’m not looking for anything serious, doesn’t mean that I can’t take you out for a nice meal. Or go to a movie or whatever it is you like to do.”

“But you told me you didn’t have anything to offer me other than one night.”

The one thing I hated was when people threw my words back in my face. She was obviously stuck on the word “one night” judging by how many times she used it.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I held my hand up, signaling that I would just be a minute. “Hey, Mom.”

“Hello, my boy. I hope I’m not bothering you.”

“You could never bother me, but I am with a friend right now. Can I call you back?”

I looked over at Amelia, who was watching me with interest. She dropped her eyes, slipped her hair over her shoulder and started playing with her iPad.

“Oh, okay. I just wanted to tell you that Connie and her family will be flying in this Friday morning. They will only be in town for a week because Antonio needs to get back for work. So, I’m going to host an early Christmas with everyone. I hope you’re still okay with it?”

My fingers tightened around the phone, and I leaned my head back. “Yeah, I’m good.” I tried to be as gentle as possible because I could sense the concern in her voice.

“You sure, because you sound…”

“Mom, relax, it’s fine. I love you. I will see you on Friday.”

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