Page 30 of Stick to the Plan
I see the girls out the front door and lock up behind them. Riley keeps me company in the kitchen as I clean the last of the movie marathon dishes. It is past the time to go to sleep, but the repetitive task helps me focus my thoughts.
Something shifted today. I can feel it in my bones. We never got a chance to talk about that kiss. The girls’ presence prevented any discussion, and I don’t know where we stand. Without her friends here, Brianna’s walls might go right back up tomorrow. Where does that leave us?
What do I want from Brianna? Anna’s question circles in my mind on a loop as I let Riley out one last time. My heart flutters. I want it all, if I’m being honest.
No woman has ever captured me the way Brianna has. I can see my future with this woman, and I’m desperate to explore the possibility. That may sound crazy after only a month of knowing each other, but I believe in epic love stories. My parents loved each other fiercely, and weren’t shy about showing it in front of their children. Growing up, I always believed I’d find a love as deep and true.
I told Anna the truth, though. Brianna would lead this dance.
That doesn’t mean I can’t drop some hints. Like when I linked our hands. I can flirt more openly when we’re alone.
She isn’t immune to me. I just need to be patient and wait for her to decide what she wants.
Feeling confident, I head to my room to turn in. I hope I dream of her again. As I drowse, I feel a weight settle at my side. Surprised, I open my eyes and find Riley curled up by my hip. My fingers find his soft fur, and I aimlessly trail my fingers over his back as I drift off.
The next day is full of long looks and heated silence. I stay at the house and help Brianna with the cleaning.
We never discuss the kiss. I’m determined not to mention it first. Doesn’t stop me from thinking about it.
A number of times we find ourselves close together. Switching over the laundry. Folding blankets. As our eyes meet, mere inches apart, the air hangs heavy. I watch her swallow, her eyes on my lips.
If she leaned forward, just halfway, I’d lean the rest and kiss her again. Each time, I’m disappointed when she turns away. The flush on her cheeks and the way she bites her lip each time keeps me hopeful. I’m not the only one feeling this.
Chores complete, we spend the afternoon in quiet reflection in the living room. This marks another notable change. Before the party, we would have each slipped into our separate rooms. Today, we sit on the couch together, reading separately.
Brianna shivers slightly, so I tuck her toes under my warm thigh and cover both of us with the nearby throw. She sends me a grateful smile and doesn’t pull away. I could happily spend every Sunday like this.
And that thought doesn’t scare me at all.
Chapter twenty-three
Blast from the Past
Brianna
Another Monday, another long to-do list in the office. I am ready to face the day ahead. The weekend had been exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries and get back into Badass Brianna mode.
Colin and I have already gotten through a progress review with the Dublin executives that went as well as my solo presentation on Friday. Since Colin opened up about his personal relationship with his boss last week, it proved entertaining watching the two interact. Mr O’Toole smiled at Colin through the conference screen like a proud papa and congratulated him on the generator’s success. Colin reddened adorably and grinned back at his mentor.
We’ve spent all afternoon poring over documents, helping Colin prepare for the upcoming conference. He wants to have a preliminary white paper ready just in case.
“Damn, where’s that...” Colin looks around the stacked pages around the table.
I lift the sales projections graph off a pile in the middle, and hand it to him. “Graph’s right here.”
His lips quirk. “Thanks. How about the...?”
“Budget versus spending to date?” I smile smugly as I hold up a second page.
Somewhere over the weekend, any remaining awkwardness has vanished. I am entirely at ease in Colin’s presence. We work in comfortable unison - a well-oiled machine. Not that we haven’t always worked well together, but today is next level. It’s like we know what the other is thinking without a word.
He laughs, winking that dimple at me. As he turns back to his screen, his smile fades. A wrinkle forms on his brow as his eyes dart from the screen to the page in his hand. “That doesn’t make sense. These don’t line up.”
“Let me see.” Walking around the table, I rest my hand on his shoulder as I lean in to view the screen. I don’t even realize I’m touching him until I straighten back up and look down at him. The warmth of his shoulder seeps into my palm and spreads up my arm.
I am standing so close, the smell of his cologne tickles my nose, and my core clenches. I watch his adam’s apple bob as I remove my hand and step back.
Colin turns his head to meet my eyes over his shoulder. I lick my parched lips and catch my breath as his eyes swiftly darken. I can’t look away from the emotions spiraling in his gaze. Lust. Hope. Frustration. Need.
