Page 70 of Love Is an Art
I reach up my hand to run it through his wavy hair. “We should make our escape soon.”
Zeke puts his other hand on my waist. I think he’s trying to hold me in place so I can’t come any closer.
I leave my hand resting against the back of his neck and slide my fingers through his hair at the base of his scalp, rubbing it. Like I’m trying to tame a wild cat.
Wyatt clears his throat. “Well, glad to see all is still well. I’ll see you around.”
It seems like he will.
We stand there, staring at each other.
“See.” He removes his hands and steps away. “Not just friends.”
My hand falls back by my side. I look down.No.Not just friends. But really, this chemistry. He can step away?
“We should go back in,” he says.
“Yes, before they wonder. We’ve done such a good job of not talking, they might suspect we’re actually dating.” I turn to head in. But then I look back at Zeke. “Thanks for not telling Wyatt that we’re not dating. I really appreciate it. If you still need that date for that wedding, I’d be happy to be your fake date.”
He smiles wryly. “I can handle it.”
As we go back in, the rest are preparing to leave. I grab my bag and walk out with Lakshmi.
“Any luck?” she asks.
“No,” I say.
“I think he was looking for you at the beginning when you didn’t show up immediately.”
We say goodbye to the others, and I walk her back to her apartment, which is down by 15thStreet. I’ll take the express subway up from there.
I shouldn’t want someone who doesn’t want me. I can understand his reluctance to trust me. I don’t believe in easily trusting either. But I trust him. I think he’s a good guy.Why?Because he shows his emotions? He looked so sad after seeing his ex-girlfriend, even though he was trying to hide it. Because he was so up front about his feelings for me. Did I lose him by not sharing more of my feelings for him? I don’t want to give up on us. But what can I do to show him that I am trustworthy and I really do like him?
I scoff. How ironic that I’ve met distrustful me in male form.
My phone beeps.
Wyatt:Just received email about FLAFL dinner honoring you. Congrats! Bought a table. Business deduction. And great networking opportunity. I’d like to meet Rupert. Can you invite your friends to fill the table?
I should’ve known Wyatt would know that Lily and Rupert were dating. Rupert would be a great connection for Wyatt.
Me:Are you sure you want me to fill it?
Wyatt:Yes. Already filling another table that week.
Me:Thank you. My friends would love to go. I’ll confirm Lily and Rupert can attend first.
My phone rings, and I answer. It’s an associate with a question about an assignment. It’s best to focus on work and the bonus—and not on guys who are not interested.
Chapter twenty-two
Zeke
Iholdthephoneclose to my ear. There’s a frenzy of activity in one corner of the trading floor with people shouting. I can barely hear Dylan over the noise. Plus, he’s traveling, and I caught him when he’s in a cab. There’s a lot of honking in the background.
“What do you mean you’re not coming for the whole wedding?” Dylan asks. “You’re one of my best friends. First, you don’t want to be a groomsman because you’d be paired with Paisley, and now this. At least you agreed to do the toast.”
The toast has been a nightmare to write. Complying with Lindsay’s instructions to make it sincere rather than funny (Lindsay was very clear that no jokes were allowed) was fine, but the beginning of Lindsay and Dylan involved Paisley and me. And referencing Paisley and me is not an option. And the fact that we didn’t last is not a good omen.
