“I’d actually like you to do it.” I shrug. “Unless you feel like you aren’t up to the challenge?” My suggestion has her eyes widening. It’s the first time I’m stepping back and allowing someone else to do this. Normally, I focus on every aspect of the actual show, but I trust Nea, and her taste in art is second to none. We’ve spent some time talking about her love of the mediums, of various artists, and what she looks for in pieces. And that’s why I know she’ll knock this out of the park.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course,” I tell her. “I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I wasn’t. Also . . .” I allow my words to drift between us, but Nea’s too clever because she narrows her gaze on me.
“Also?”
“I want to take you out tonight.” This has her expression morphing from cautious to excited. “Dinner, perhaps a walk around the French Quarter,” I suggest, knowing she’ll want to see it at night. There’s something magical about New Orleans, there always has been. And even though I’ve lived here all my life, I never truly took the city in. And from her point of view, I’m sure it would be far more exciting than what I would experience.
“I would love that,” she tells me. “I haven’t had a chance to do that. Perhaps we can even do one of those ghost tours.” I knew that was coming. Nea strikes me as the type to go off on adventures, whereas I’m the one who’d rather spend money on a fancy dinner or head to a bar of some sort.
“If that’s what you’d like to do, we will do it.”
“I didn’t think you were a dating kind of guy,” Nea says, setting her empty mug down as she grabs her laptop bag.
“Not usually, but I have to be honest. I enjoy spending time with you, and if that means a date is in order, then it has to happen.” I can’t stop my chest tightening when I see her smile. It does something to me. It burrows itself into my soul, and I wonder if I can do this. If I can truly be with someone and not hurt them.
“Well, I look forward to it, Mr. Elliot,” Nea says with a wink. “I better get to work, or my boss will have my ass if I’m not at my desk.”
“Perhaps your boss will have your ass over your desk,” I counter, a wolfish grin curling my lips as her cheeks turn bright red.
“Behave. Work first.” Nea disappears down the hallway. My phone buzzes, and I pick it up to find Eli’s name.
“Hey, man,” I answer, a smile still dancing on my lips.
“Now, that’s definitely new.”
Leaning against the kitchen counter, I ask, “What is?”
“You’re smiling the moment you answer the phone. I may not see it, but I definitely hear it,” Eli says. “Does this have anything to do with the pretty new assistant you have?”
“Sometimes, I wonder how we’re still friends after this long. I mean, you can be a pain in my ass, Eli.” He chuckles at my response, but he knows my mood has everything to do with the beauty currently working in the office.
“It’s my unwavering charm and wit that has you coming back for more,” he retorts, and we both burst out laughing. That’s one thing about Eli — he has an answer for everything.
“I’m thinking of taking her to dinner tonight. And maybe a walk through the Quarter afterward.”
“Are you serious?” I can tell he’s shocked at this outcome. And to be honest, I wasn’t expecting to want to spend time with her. Yes, we’ve been intimate, but dating is a whole other kettle of fish I haven’t done in a while.
“I am.”
“Well, that’s definitely a turn for the better. It’s been too long, Julian.” He’s right, and I know it. “Perhaps you can bring her around to ours for dinner or lunch?”
I don’t know if I’m on that level just yet. Having her meet my friends in a personal setting can make this seem more serious than it is.
“I can already hear you trying to find excuses not to.” Eli can read me like a fucking book. “Tell me something, Julian, does she make you happy?”
“Yes, I’ve . . . I’ve felt lighter than I have in a very long time. When Shay left, I didn’t think I’d want this again.”
“And you do now?”
Do I? With Nea, yes. I do.
“I think so,” I finally answer Eli because I know he won’t stop asking until I’ve admitted my feelings. And that’s definitely not something I’ll do.
“Then take a chance. Bring her around for dinner, and Kate and I can make sure she’s legit.” This time, he chuckles over the line at him, attempting to be an adult when it comes to making fun of me.