Page 115 of The Thorne at My Side
"Bullshit."
"You're right, but I haven't had a chance to visit the southern tip of South America and once you're down there you're basically at the South Pole so it makes sense to just tack on a day trip."
I laugh, "I don't think Antarctica is a day trip sort of destination."
"No? That's too bad. I bet they could do a lot more in tourism revenue if it was."
My giggle escapes before I can catch it and he grins. The smile he gives me is warm and friendly, open and sexy, and triggers all the things my nervous system is supposed to do when I am on the receiving end of smiles from cute boys.
I clear my throat and busy myself with the corner of the napkin. As the weight of this crush and impossible situation weighs down on my shoulders.
"Same question to you," he says after I'm able to regulate my breathing. The pastries get set down between us and I rip off a corner of my croissant before answering.
"I studied in Florence in college and I love everything about Italy. I got to see a lot of western Europe during that time. It might be fun to go back not on a college kid's budget but I've never been to Japan and I think it would be amazing."
"Japan is amazing. I'll take you sometime, friend. Unless Foxy has a problem with you traveling halfway around the world with a handsome billionaire."
"He's humble too." I laugh and Austin points a finger at me to indicate a good point.
"What else are you up to today?" he asks.
"Probably some chores, laundry, then figuring out if I'm goingto meet him and what to wear when I do."
"Well, if you go you should wear your hair down. You're always pretty but when you have your hair down…" He mimes a chef's kiss. "Perfection."
I blush and mutter a thank you.
"What about you?"
"I'm not seeing anyone." He says quickly and pins me with eye contact that I feel in my bones.
"No, I, umm, meant what else are you doing today?"
"I think I'm going to take a long shower because this run was brutal. I'll probably have lunch with Felix. Then I'll head out for the evening. It's a Saturday night after all."
"So, it is."
"Maggie, can I ask you something?" He asks as he looks out the window.
The way his voice softened makes me nervous. "Sure," I whisper back.
"Well, do you think,” he turns to face me and I feel the weight of his question before he even asks it, “if we had just met and never been pitted against each other or done the stress relief arrangement; do you think we could have been more than friends?"
"Austin," I interject but he holds his hand up to stop me.
"No, wait, I don't want to hear if you're going to let me down gently. I've been with women in the past who only wanted me for my last name and my tabloid potential. You've been the first woman to know the real me. And even if you hated me at first, I think we've gotten somewhere good. So, if you go and meet this guy tonight and fall in love, just, I don’t know, think of me from time to time."
He offers me a closed lipsmile and glances out the window again. His words are what I want to hear but I feel like I owe it to myself to meet DCFox. Things with Austin feel wonderfully easy but he also caused me a lot of grief. DCFox did too but I’m finding it easier to forgive him.
"That's Greg.” Austin nods to the car that just pulled up to the curb. “Take care, Maggie Collins," he stands. I watch as he steps next to me, plants a gentle kiss to my temple, and then walks out without looking back.
I watch him climb into the backseat of the car. Watch the car pull away. Follow it to the end of the block and then watch it disappear around the corner.
The spot where he kissed me tingles and I touch it gingerly. I remember seeing Kyle kiss Liz on the head like that. It is such a gentle show of affection. It’s a tenderness I’ve now come to expect from Austin.
One that I crave.
One that I’m not sure I’ll find anywhere else.
