“Would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?”
I freeze, placing my hands on the kitchen island that connects the two rooms to steady myself. This has to be a dream, because this sort of stuff doesn’t happen to me. However, I can’t just let this moment pass. Glancing over my shoulder, I see that he’s moved in closer, watching me intently with that gorgeous smile of his.
“Wha–” The lump in the back of my throat cuts me off, and I’m sure I am giving a great impression. “Are you asking me on a date?”
I sound just as surprised as I feel as I attempt to speak again. The question was supposed to be about clarifying what he meant by his invitation. There are a lot of reasons why he might want to go for a meal, but considering his earlier comment he’s left me stunned. There are so many people that he could date, Hinton Grove isn’t short of single women, so why me?
There’s a twinkle in his eye as he shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. “It could just be a meal between two business owners, or it could be more. I’ll let you decide.”
Before I allow myself contemplate what he just said and let myself spiral, there is one very important thing I need to ask first. “What about Clay?”
Bear frowns slightly, arms crossing over his chest and I immediately miss his smile. I should have kept my mouth shut, but if I am to decide to go on a date with Bear, then I need to make sure everyone is on the same page. The last thing I want to do is cause a war between the friends.
“Clay is intense, but he’s left the ball in your court. It’s now up to you to decide if you want to make a move or not.” Bear explains, slowly taking a step towards me. “I’m just letting you know that there are more players than you might have thought.”
My back butts up against the kitchen island and, with nowhere left to go, I look up at him, feeling the heat of his body radiating from him. “Oh,” I reply breathily. I realise that I sound stupid, but I have no words for how I’m feeling or how to answer him.
Placing his hands on the counter either side of me, he pins me in, our bodies so close but not quite touching. I want so badly to reach out and touch him, but I’m afraid that if I do, I won’t be able to stop. He is practically a stranger; I shouldn’t want him as much as I do. As he lowers himself until his face is just inches from mine, my mouth goes dry and I start fantasising about what it would be like to kiss him.
“I’ll pick you up at seven,” he murmurs, pulling away with a wink. Crossing the small space to the door, he steps through with a cheeky grim before I can think to formulate a response. The door swings shut behind him, leaving me hot, flustered and thoroughly confused.
What the fuck just happened?
FIFTEEN
BEAR
Towel in hand, I step from the bathroom of our new apartment in a wave of steam and stroll over to my room. With my chest bare and another towel wrapped around my waist, I pull the curtains closed so I don’t give anyone a show as I get ready for my evening with Holly. When we were choosing rooms, I went for the one at the front of the property and it had nothing to do with the fact that if I lean out the window slightly, I can see Holly’s bakery. The apartment above the gym is still a work in progress, but it is suitable enough that I’ve finally been able to move from the B&B up the hill and the guys don’t have to commute in every day.
It doesn’t take me long to get ready, donning dark denim jeans and a smart white shirt. I spray some cologne and forgo my usual hat. Thanks to a family history of receding hairlines, I tend to keep my sandy-brown hair short, and wear a cap most of the time. I’m not ashamed of it, I just happen to feel more comfortable with my trusty cap. I have a good reason not to wear it tonight, though.
After seeing Holly earlier, I spent most of the day helping to lay flooring and build furniture for the food bar. That would usually keep me occupied, but thoughts of the beautiful bakernext door have plagued me all day. What doesn’t help is that Elliot has been quiet and on edge all day, which is unusual for him. I want to ask, to check that he’s doing okay, yet I know pushing Elliot only makes him become more introverted. My date tonight is probably part of the reason he’s so wound up, but he will come to me when he’s ready to talk.
Glancing up at the clock on the wall, I see it’s almost time for me to leave, and a smile appears on my lips unbidden. Who is this woman that she can make me smile just by thinking of her? My heart is on the line here, and I need to calm down so I don’t get hurt. Holly might not want this to be a date, or she might want nothing to do with me romantically. I will respect her decision a hundred percent, which means I need to rein in this eagerness that fills me with nervous energy.
I check myself in the mirror by my door. I’m ready. Striding into the living room, I grab the small bunch of tulips off the coffee table that I bought for Holly earlier. My mother told me never to turn up to a date without a gift, and seeing as this might not be a date, I forwent traditional roses and chose tulips instead.
“Are you sure about this?”
Elliot’s voice makes me jump and I almost throw the flowers at him out of instinct. Letting out a long breath, I press my free hand to my chest, my heart pounding. Fuck me, I hadn’t even known he was in the room. I must have walked right past him. Turning to face him, I snort, realising part of the reason I hadn’t seen him. He’s in the corner of the room, arms crossed and leaning up against the wall. He almost looks like he’s hiding in the shadows with the sole purpose of jumping out at me. Who is he trying to be, fucking Batman?
“Geez, man. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Laughing, I try to shake off the adrenaline that is firing around my system. However, Elliot doesn’t laugh along with me, simplyraising his brow pointedly. Well, it seems that if I was hoping for an apology then I am in for disappointment.
He’s waiting for an answer, but I have no idea what to say to him in response. Iknowthere is something between me and Holly, and it could become something amazing. I can just feel it, deep in my soul. What I really want to know is why he feels the need to ask this. He’s acting like I’m going to propose to her, not take her to an Italian restaurant.
“I thought we had agreed to stop judging each other’s romantic choices,” I finally reply, my expression pointed. There is more that could be said, but I don’t need to; he knows exactly what I’m referencing. In the city, the two of us had gotten into disastrous relationships that had almost destroyed our bond as blood brothers. This was several years ago now and it took us time to get over it. In fact, I’ve not dated anyone since then.
Elliot pushes away from the wall, clearly frustrated. “I’m not talking about me. I’m talking about Clay. You know how intense he gets.”
“I can hear you,” Clay calls from the other room, stepping out with his arms crossed as he looks between the two of us. “I’m not a child. I am capable of handling emotions.”
Clay and his feelings towards Holly could be problematic. Usually if this issue had come up, I wouldn’t have dreamed of trying to win over a woman that he was interested in. However, Holly isn’t just any woman and something inside me is pushing me to pursue this. Clay gets that, he can feel it too. That is what Elliot doesn’t understand. Holly is the type of woman you hold on to. I can’t let this moment pass.
I huff out a breath and shake my head. I can’t believe I’m having to explain myself. “First of all, Holly is going to choose if she wants this to be a date or not. I left that decision up to her, so don’t start jumping on me until we know what’s actually happening.” Gesturing to Clayton, I keep my focus on Elliot,seeing as he’s the one who seems to need this explanation. “Secondly, Clay and I have had a chat. None of this is happening behind his back. The ball is in Holly’s court and we shall respect whatever she chooses.”
I expect Elliot to back off now I’ve explained that Clay is on board with my plan. Only, he’s scoffing and stepping towards me, my words seeming to have the opposite effect.
“Can you hear yourself? We just got here and you’re already talking about relationships!” he spits out incredulously, gestures becoming larger the angrier he gets. “We left the city to start a new life here. The business isn’t even open yet. Can you not control yourself? She’s one woman.”