Page 19 of Unexpectedly Wanted
“Okay?” I asked because most people wanted to try to fix a problem like that. They wanted to work out the reason behind it and get me over it. “Just like that? You’re not going to make me feel stupid for not being able to park my car where everyone else here parks?”
“Nope,” he said, sending me a small smile. “But it is good to know. I feel like that’s something a boyfriend should know.” He paused. “Any other fears? Things that send you into a near panic attack and make you jump out of moving cars?”
“It wasn’t moving,” I corrected him.
Another smile.
And why did that stupid upturn of his lips make me feel warm? Also like I wasn’t a freak for having that stupid fear?
“Drive-thrus. Like fast-food places,” I admitted. Now, he looked a little amused. So… I kept going. “Bobblehead figures. Kites. Guys that work out in backward ball caps.”
“So… Austin, then? Is that the reason I never see you in the gym here?”
Was it me, or was he drifting closer? The chairs had wheels, so maybe he didn’t even realize he was slowly inching his way into my bubble.
“Yeah, that’s the reason,” I said back with a roll of my eyes.
That was when I became suddenly aware that I had swung the chair to the side and was now situated in a way that was suggestingIwanted to be inhisbubble. And I think I was smiling. He was teasing me, and I was teasing back. Was that right? Was this like some kind of back and forth that people did?
Like… flirting?
No… absolutely not.
I shot the thought down, but didn’t lean away from him.
I blamed it on his magnetic personality. He was pulling me in against my will, and I had no control over my body. Yes, that was it.
“Well, what are some of yours?” I asked, eyes staring into his in a way that normally made me uncomfortable. “It’s only right I should know, you know, as your boyfriend and all.”
“Mine are going to seem so boring compared to yours.”
“I’d like to know,” I said, but wasn’t sure why. And since I was freaking out a little inside, I added, “In case we’re ever in a situation that might send you into a panic. It’s wise to be prepared for everything, right?”
He chuckled. His warm breath washed over my face, making me realize that if I just leaned in another inch or two, our lips would be mashed together.
Which was something I most definitely didn’t want to do.
Not with… him.
“Babies and frogs,” he said.
I wasn’t a fan of babies, but I wasn’t really afraid of them. Would I hold one if I had to? No, probably not. I’d more than likely run away. But I still didn’t get this deep panic in my gut at the thought of having to. And frogs were kind of slimy and their eyes were weird, so I suppose I could understand that one.
Just when I began to wonder what was going to happen next, the door to the conference room burst open. It broke the trance Remy had me in real quick, and I flew back into the chair so hard that it rocked.
“Uhhh…” Austin said. I turned my head to look at him, feeling my face pull hard. “I left my, uh…” He stepped in and quickly grabbed something from the seat of one of the chairs across the table.
Without a word, he shuffled back toward the door. His eyes volleyed from Remy to me as he almost moonwalked out of the room, until he pulled the door closed and could no longer be seen.
“I have to get back to work,” I said awkwardly. I felt uncomfortable and the best thing to do was go hide in my office.
So I ran away.
And was thankful when he didn’t try to call after me.
7
Remy
