Page 74 of Studious
“I don’t know that there’s anything realistic about feelings.”
“That could be.” I can see him thinking about it. “I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Me neither. But it seems to me like I’m going to be hurt or I’m not, and either way, I can’t do anything about it.”
“That’s a fatalistic attitude.”
“Or a realistic one. Which is what you just told me to be.” My voice drops. “I like him. I like what we’re doing together. And I can’t help any of that. So I think I just need to ride this as far as it’s going to go.” I hear myself say “ride,” and my cheeks heat.
Shelby notices and grins. “Okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bum you out. I care and wanted to make sure you were warned, is all. But maybe I’m being an ass.”
“Maybe you aren’t. Maybe that’s simply the way the world is.”
“But how is it with him?” he asks. “For real. Because he’s kind of a legend, so maybe I’m a wee bit jealous.”
“He’s magnificent.”
He truly is.
“Wow,” Shelby breathes. “That’s something. I knew it was true.”
Just then, Danny walks in. “Hey,” he says, and he squeezes my shoulder, like he’s avoiding PDA in the office but he can’t stop touching me. I don’t want him to stop, either.
“Hey,” I say. I’m pleased my voice doesn’t squeak. “What’s up?”
“I wanted to turn in a few receipts. Had to advance fees at the courthouse, so I put it on my card.”
“Okay,” I say, taking the papers and staring at him. Then I blink.
Shelby is watching the two of us, looking amused. “Oh, you two are so cute. I can’t stand it.”
Danny whips his head around. “What?”
“Don’t deny it, Mr. Villaseñor.”
“I’m not denying anything. But I don’t want it all over the office, either, because I don’t want Alden to be tarnished by my reputation.”
“You couldn’t tarnish me,” I say.
“You’re still new,” he insists.
“Don’t assume that just because I’m new to this I don’t know what I think or feel.”
“Fair,” he admits. Then he looks both ways and brushes a very quick kiss on my lips. Apparently, since Shelby knows, Danny isn’t going to hide.
“Whoa,” Shelby says. “It’s true.”
Danny gives him a quick grin and strides off.
“I revise my opinion,” Shelby says. “That’s a whole new side of Danny. I think he’s so into you that no one else even competes. And I’m proud of you for being the one to capture his heart.”
“Now I think you’re going too far in the other direction.”
Maybe I don’t need to let anyone else’s opinions into this relationship. Maybe I can just let Danny and me be who we are.
It’s time for me to get to work, but before I do, I point to Shelby’s desk, where scissors, folded-up paper, and tape are strewn about. “What’s all that?”
He smiles broadly. “Okay, so you know our client Johnny Haskell?”
