Page 86 of The Art of Being Merry
“Most likely this weekend. Saturday is three whole days away. I’ll wither away if I don’t see you before then.” I pout, laying it on thick. I said I’d respect her decision, but I never agreed to how.
“I think you’ll survive a few days. We’ve been together a lot this week.”
“But tonight I had to share you.” My comment surprises me just as much as her.
“I can’t tell if you’re being serious or kidding right now.”
If she’s not sure, I won’t tell her. “What do you want it to be?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. On the one hand, it’s flattering you want to spend time with me. On the other, it’s . . . ” Her fingers pick the skin around her nail. “We’re in this weird space. I’m not sure more than casual is in our best interest.”
The truth hurts, but I have to own it.
“Got it. Text me some times you’re free this weekend, and I’ll talk with my parents and figure it out.” As much as I shouldn’t, I can’t resist leaving a kiss on the corner of her mouth. Self-inflicted torture is my favorite kind.
I turn my back to her, heading for the door, stopped when she grabs my wrist. “Don’t leave like this, Dax. Tell me we could ever be more than friends with benefits.” So much hope lives in her words, but she’s right. I can’t lie to her and pretend I could give her more.
Without turning to look at her, I state, “You know I can’t.” It isn’t the words I want to say, but I voice them anyway.
Dax Nicholas isn’t built for more than casual.
Mom said noon tomorrow works great. “Send them hungry” were her exact words
Things feel a little strained between Clementine and me, and I’m hoping tomorrow will set things right between us. I haven’t seen her since I left her house in a tizzy, and as dumb as it sounds, I miss her. I wanted to send her a delivery from the cafe, but I wasn’t sure how she’d react. I don’t want her mad at me, even though it feels like she already is.
“Uh, Dax, did you order something from the cafe?” Meredith calls out from the lobby.
“Not me.”
“Well, it’s got your name on it.” I meet Meredith at the door of my office, a cup with the cafe’s logo on it in her hand. She points to my name and Frostline Auto Garage. “Seems like it’s yours.”
I take it from her and sniff the top, a hint of mint leaking through. A peace offering.
“Thanks. I’ll take it from here.” I leave Meredith stunned, especially when I shut the door to the office. Beck’s off on a tow truck run, and we rarely shut the office door unless we’re in a meeting.
Clementine hasn’t responded to my text, but I hit her contact info anyway, hoping she’ll answer.
“You got the coffee” is her greeting. It brings an immediate smile to my face. Despite the place we’re at presently, I’m gone for this woman.
“I got the coffee. Thanks. But why?”
“Things are weird between us. I don’t like it.” Glad it’s not only me feeling it.
“So you figured having my favorite coffee delivered would make things less weird?”
“I hoped. Is it stupid?”
“Hardly. It’s a sweet gesture. I don’t like it either, though I’m not sure how we fix it. Do we go back to simply being friends?” How much would that suck? It’s not like I can avoid her completely. She’s my brother’s sister-in-law. She’ll be at family functions.
“That’s not what I want, but is there an alternative? Limbo isn’t a fun place to be, and this extra limboness since Wednesday has been awful.”
I chuckle, the action loosening up the stress plaguing my body. Or maybe it’s hearing Clementine’s voice or the sweet treat. “Are you going to petition for limboness to be added to the dictionary?”
“Not a chance. It’s a dumb place to be and a dumb word.”
“Wow, don’t sugarcoat it,” I snark.
“I’m not in a place in my life that I can let someone in all the way, but I hate sneaking around. And you’re?—”
