Page 75 of Falling into Place
“Nope.” Not that he didn’t want to, though—he’d have loved to head straight to Carly’s place right after work if it was an option, and every day after. But he’d already made plans to meet a woman named Madison for a drink tonight, something he’d questioned last night.
“Should I cancel the dates I have left?” he’d asked Carly as he’d run his fingers up and down her arm. “There are only two, but still. It feels kind of shitty going to meet another woman after this.”
She’d promised keeping the dates after making out with her didn’t make him an asshole, because no one expected exclusivity with a first date. “That even goes for this,” she’d said, waving a finger between them. “You never know, you might fall in love on the spot and forget all about me.”
He’d played it cool because they’d literally just kissed for the first time, but that was about as likely as him going on a solo shopping spree just because. A little part of her had seemed relieved, though, when he said he didn’t intend to set up any others and that Sasha would just have to deal with it. Pathetic as it may be, the idea of Carly being jealous over him was strangely satisfying.
James still didn’t look convinced, but he let it go. In truth, Brooks wouldn’t mind telling his best friend about Carly. In fact, he’d love to talk to someone else other than Coach about her. He could go on for days about her incredible personality and that she was so easy to talk to they could cover topics from his ass to their favorite musicians and even his mom’s accident without awkwardness. That she took his fashion missteps in stride, and rather than making him feel embarrassed about his ignorance, she made him feel attractive and confident every time he tried something new, even though she looked like a runway model in anything that touched her skin, from one of those short dresses with high shoes to leggings with a tank top and bare feet. He’d smile when he talked about her tidiness and obsession with crisp sheets on a perfectly made bed and her penchant to cry at movies.
But lately James had been strutting about like the all-knowing guru of women and relationships, despite his current state of bliss beingbased on the first time he’d seen a woman for more than a week in a decade. Brooks didn’t want to give him the satisfaction, and besides, it hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since he’d found out Carly was into him. Plus they’d agreed to avoid being anywhere in public together for the next few weeks.
They needed to be careful, sure, but as far as he was concerned, seeing each other in private was another story. Yes, they’d said last night that it was just until the magazine ran the farewell article, but he wasn’t confident either of them would stick by it.
Hell, after starting with one kiss on the table, they’d ended up awake until two in the morning, watching movies and making out like horny teenagers, and she’d only gone home when a page sent him to the hospital.
As if she knew he was talking about her, his phone buzzed and her name popped up.
Carly:I’m this close to falling asleep at my desk.
Brooks:why? didn’t get much sleep last night?
Carly:No, some guy kept me up super late
Brooks:man, what a dick
Brooks:he probably left a giant hickey on your neck, too
Carly:About that.
Carly:I had to wear aTurtleneckto work. It’s August! I look ridiculous!
Brooks:not sorry
A few long moments passed before her reply finally came through:Me neither.He couldn’t help the asinine smile that spread across his face in that moment.
Brooks:want to grab coffee over lunch? we both need some
Carly:That’s the opposite of avoiding public interaction.
Brooks:yes it is
Brooks:want to?
Brooks:i won’t touch you, i promise
Carly:I do, but there’s no way in hell I’m going anywhere else in this shirt. My accounting coworkers will be the only witnesses.
Brooks:how about i bring it to your office?
Brooks:we can just meet in the parking lot like a drug deal
Brooks:you get coffee, i get to see you. win/win
Carly:You don’t have to do that.
Brooks:i can’t have you falling asleep on the job, i feel responsible
Carly:Obviously you are.
