Page 27 of Until Nalia
Shoving the rest of the cracker meat and cheese into my mouth, I walk through the living room and stop to look in the mirror next to the door. My eyes look tired from staring at my computer all day, my hair that I tied up in a messy bun this morning is still a mess, and my black tank top is sprinkled with bits of cracker dust. After dusting the crumbs off my top, I start to fix my hair but it’s hopeless, so I just leave it be.
Ripping my gaze off my reflection I drag in a breath and open the door ignoring the way my heartbeat speeds up at the sight of Logan.
“What…” My question is cut off when he holds my Bronco keys up between us. “You fixed my car already?”
“It didn’t take as long as I thought it would,” he says, and I look past him to the driveway and find my Bronco parked next to his mom’s car. “I figured I could drop it off, and we could pick up my Jeep, then drop off Mom’s car before we go pick up the kids.
My eyes slowly slide up to his. Yesterday, when Zuri told me that she wanted to go get food with Coop after school, I reluctantly agreed because I could tell that she was excited about the idea of hanging out with her friend again, and I want her to be happy despite my own reservations about spending more time with Logan.
“I thought Zuri and I would just meet you and Cooper at Sonic after school.”
“We’re going to the same place, no need to drive two cars,” he says, and my stomach curls in on itself at the idea of spending even more time alone with him.
“I still have a little work to do.”
“That’s cool.” He takes a step towards me, leaving me no choice but to back up. “I can hang out here until you’re done.” He takes another step towards me, and I take another step back, then watch him close the door.
Okay, apparently, he’s staying, and I don’t get a say. Scraping my teeth over my bottom lip, I pull my eyes off his and turn towards the kitchen. He doesn’t make a sound as he follows me, but I feel his presence like a weighted blanket. Walking to the counter, I pick up what is left of the Lunchable, load up another cracker with cheese and meat, and shove it into my mouth.
“Is that your lunch?” I look over to where he’s standing, watching me.
“I didn’t have a lot of options today,” I tell him after I swallow. Picking up my Diet Coke, I take a sip. “Do you want to hang here or there’s a chair in my office. I shouldn’t be long.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Of course, he will. Maybe I shouldn’t have given him the option and just told him that I would be back in like fifteen minutes. Without a word, I head down the hall to my office and step through the door. With the blinds open, lots of bright light fills the small space, making it feel bigger than it is. Taking a seat at my desk, he sits on my reading chair that is tucked in the corner of my room next to my bookshelves that are stuffed with my prized paperbacks. The chair was a hand me down from my mom after she got a new one, and I haven’t really had a chance to use it, but Zuri often comes in here with her iPad to hang out while I’m working.
Unlocking my computer, I get back to work, but I can feel his eyes on me, the attention makes me self-conscious.
“Can you please stop staring?” I mutter, digging my hand into the bag of gummy worms I keep on my desk.
“I like looking at you.”
“Well, stop, it’s making it hard to focus.”
“Is it the attention or me?”
Both
I look over at him and feel the pulse in the base of my throat beat wildly when his eyes lock on mine.
“Stop.”
“I’m not doing anything.” He’s right, he’s not doing anything, but just being in his presence is enough to throw me off balance. The problem is I’m attracted to him, and he has made it obvious that he’s attracted to me, which is both exhilarating and unnerving.
“I’m going to make you leave.” I shove two gummy worms in my mouth, and he grins.
“Alright.” He holds up his hands. “I’ll try to behave.”
I don’t believe him, not even a little.
I can still feel him watch me as I finish up payroll and e-mail everything over to the accountant so he can direct deposit everyone Friday. When I’m done, I close my laptop and look over at him.
“Done?” He asks, sitting forward, the muscles of his arms testing the material of his shirt.
“Yes.”
“You ready to go then?”
