I level her with a stare—cool, unblinking, and sharp enough to cut. “Eva, be careful.”
“I’m serious. Punish me. Tonight.”
“I’m going to Ma’s house for dinner tonight.”
Thank goodness. It will give me the space I need to make sure I don’t do something stupid, like indulge in that fantasy with my best friend’s sister. Then I see the look of disappointment on her face, realizing she also might be jealous that I get to eat Ma’s cooking tonight.
She’s become obsessed, and she waits for the leftovers.
“You can come with me.” The words are out there. I can’t take them back. I should take them back. It’s stupid.
But at the same time, is it? It’s just food. Ma knows she looks forward to the leftovers. Why not just cut out the middleman?
Surprise is written all over her face. “You want me to come to your mother’s house? What will she think? Does she know about … us?”
“No, she doesn’t know we’re sleeping together. But she knows you’re Walker’s sister and that we’re working closely on this renovation. She knows you live in my building. I don’t think she’ll think much of it. You don’t have to come if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“No,” she responds quickly, “I don’t feel uncomfortable. I just wasn’t sure what she would think, but it makes sense now that you say it like that.”
“Well then, I guess you’re about to meet my family. We’d better get going. Ma hates it when I’m late.”
We walk out of the conference room, grab our things, and ride the elevator down to the parking garage, where my car is. I always drive to work on Tuesdays so I can hop in my car and go straight to dinner.
The moment we get in the car, my mind starts to race. What the hell am I thinking? Inviting her to Tuesday dinner with everyone there? It’s like I’m asking for word to spread and to get caught.
Wait a minute. Is this my subconscious trying to get us caught? Do I want this to be real so bad that I’m willing to jeopardize my friendship?
My hands tighten on the steering wheel—knuckles pale against the black leather.
It felt right in the moment, natural even. I thought it would be casual—no big deal.
How could I have possibly thought that?
Eva is quiet in the passenger seat, showing obvious signs of being nervous. Her discomfort becomes my new focus. I don’t like thinking I put her into a situation that she isn’t ready for.
I reach across the seat and grab her hand and link our fingers together. “I’m glad you’re coming,” I tell her.
“Are you?” she asks softly. “I might not be as comfortable with this as I thought.”
“Hey, we are adults. We are allowed to sleep together and be in each other’s life while we do it. It’s no one else’s business but ours. Right?”
“Right.” She smiles. “We are adults. We can do what we want.”
I should distract her. What can we talk about that will ease her mind? Then it hits me. I know exactly what will take her mind off everything.
A smirk threatens to take over my face. “Now that the New York renovation is underway and going smoothly, I’m thinking it’s time to move on to the next hotel. Maybe get some initial designs started.”
“Yeah? Have you officially decided which hotel you want to renovate next?”
“I have.” I steal a glance over at her. “I would like to do Paris. I think that means you and I are due for a trip so you can check it out.”
Her eyes get wide, and her back straightens. “Are you freaking serious? When are we going?”
Honestly, I was thinking in a month, but seeing her reaction makes me want to go tomorrow. “How does next week sound?”
“Um, I think I can rearrange any meetings I might have if my boss tells me I need to be in Paris next week!”
The thought of being in Paris with Eva without anyone there to see us. I can take her out to dinner and kiss her. There will be no one we could possibly run into.