Page 58 of One Night Only
I smile automatically. “I feel like I’m going to melt. I don’t know how you guys do without shorts.”
“The alternative is much worse,” he jokes. “No one wants to see these legs. Trust me.”
I think about how the new receptionist ogled him all week. I wouldn’t be too sure of that.
I take out my phone, pretending to get a text message so I don’t ask him about the Grayson project like I want to. It still hurts that Harvey took it off me. That work was supposed to take up my life for the next year. Without it, it’s like I’m scrambling around, trying to find things to fill my time, to prove myself.
And while I’m not one to hold a grudge, it’s not like Matthias and I were best friends to begin with, so I’m little surprised that he keeps pace with me when we hit the lobby despite my friendly nod goodbye.
Outside my skin starts to prickle with the heat, despite the evening hour. In about a minute boob sweat will be a real problem.
“Have a good evening,” I say, rooting in my bag for my headphones.
“Are you doing anything nice?”
“Tonight?” I glance down at my crumpled summer dress. The last of my makeup melted into my face about three hours ago. “I think I’m going to lie on my bed and catch up with my AC. What about you?”
“I’m meeting some friends at The Greenerylater.”
“Oh. Cool. I’ve been meaning to check that place out.”
“Yeah? You can join us if you like.”
“At The Greenery?”
“Sure. I’m not meeting them until later. We could grab a drink beforehand.”
“Tonight?”
He nods. I’m confused. And I hate being confused. Is he just being polite? Does he want me to meet his friends? Did he invite anyone else from the office? All these thoughts do not go through my head quickly and Matthias pushes on through my silence as I just stare at him.
“Not that you’d have to stick around,” he says. “We could just get a drink.”
A drink. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
“No,” he says instantly. “We work together. That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“Right.”
He smiles at me and he looks almost… Is he flirting with me?
“Right,” I say again.
Matthias? I’m surprised. Pleased but surprised. He’s one of the last remaining single guys in the firm who isn’t a complete creep. I mean, of course, I’ve thought about what he’d be like in bed. No doubt half the office has. But that’s where I thought he’d remain. In my mind. Not here on a hot summer’s day. Not asking me out on a non-date.
“I better not,” I say, secretly thrilled when I catch a flicker of disappointment in his face. “I have to get up early to go to the gym. I promise you that’s not a fake excuse,” I add. “Even though it sounds like one.”
“Another time?”
“Sure,” I say, though it comes out more like a question. The little flutter of excitement inside surprises me. Especially as it only grows when he smiles.
“Enjoy the AC,” he says and parts with a small wave as he heads across the street.
I stare after him, wishing someone else were here to witness this.
Matthias Scott just asked me out on a date. Or, to look at it another way, I just turned down Matthias Scott for a date.
Will is going to freak.
