Page 24 of Sergeant O'
I gave her a polite smile and replied, “I’ll try to do the same.”
“You should probably sleep with your door closed if you don’t want to wake up with my cat’s butt on your face. She has priors—ask Lainey.”
“That’s good information to have; thank you.”
She turned to leave, and I realized I didn’t want the night to be over yet, so I impulsively called, “Hey, Jade?”
She looked back at me. “Yeah?”
Well, shit. I couldn’t really ask her not to go to bed.
“Thanks again for letting me crash here. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course, Bri.” Then she threw in, “That’s what friends are for.”
And I had no one to blame but myself for being friend-zoned.
But it was probably for the best.
Chapter Eleven
Jade
I’d just turned the bedside lamp off when I heard Brian make his way down the hall, and I could have sworn he paused right outside my door.
Holding my breath, I couldn’t decide if I wanted the door to open or not.
Okay, fine. I wanted the door to open. I just didn’twantto want the door to open.
He’d made it clear he wasn’t interested in me like that; something I already knew, but his flirtiness confused me sometimes.
Usually, I was at work and could laugh it off, but there was something about being in our pjs on my couch that let me be vulnerable and imagine what it might be like if we dated.
He must have sensed what I was thinking because he was quick to put the kibosh on that noise.
Part of me appreciated that even though he was a giant flirt, he didn’t lead me on. But part of me couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong with me that he wasn’t even a little interested.
No, Jade!
It’s good he’s not interested!
That means I don’t have to be the ice princess and reject him.
Because I would have to turn him down if he asked me out. Getting involved with him would only end in disaster.
****
Brian
I considered fucking up my bandage and knocking on Jade’s door for help. But the pathetic factor—both even contemplatingdoing such a thing, as well as then actually needing help, made me decide against it.
But then I came to her door on my way to the guest room and tried to come up with a reason to knock.
I pictured what it would be like if she pulled the covers back and suggested I climb in next to her.
Her skin had looked so soft sitting next to me on the couch, I’d had to stop myself from reaching over to touch her. I could only imagine how she’d feel in my arms.
But I’d fucked that chance up.
