“Are you guys related? You seemed close, and he’s clearly proud of you.”
I cringe and look over at him “It’s a long sappy story, cool if I just say we go way back?”
“Sure,” he says with a surprised look on his face.
“Cool. Thanks.”
“Mind if I ask you a question?” Cole asks.
“And here I thought I was getting out of it,” I say, glancing at him and finding him staring at me with that sexy grin again.
“No, no, don’t get me wrong; I will never ask you to explain personal shit. I promise,” he says, laughing.
It’s a really good laugh; in fact, it’s such a nice laugh I now need a dry pair of underwear. Since when am I so awkward? With a blush I’m sure he can see, I clear my throat. “Okay then, sure, what’s the question?”
“How are you single? I mean, are you single? You’re like a magic unicorn, both gorgeous and doesn’t want to bitch my ear off. Not to mention the fact you have legit things to complain about, but you don’t, and you don’t want to.”
He shakes his head with a shocked look on his face.
“You’re blowing my mind right now.”
He laughs and I join in. A big unladylike laugh. I shrug, not sure what to say. “Yeah, I’m not a big fan of sharing my feelings, but trust me I can bitch with the best of them. Just don’t want to right now. It doesn’t change anything. Maybe I’m in denial. I think I’ll stay here for a while.” I smile over at him when he glances my way.
“That’s super fucking sexy. Not that I’m allowed to tell you that since Marcus firmly put his foot down on any chance I might have had,” he says with a wink. “So if he asks, I did not just call you super fucking sexy.” He slows down the three words, blatantly looking straight into my eyes.
“You know, if I were girly, I would totally be blushing right now,” I deadpan. “But like I said, I’m not and your flattery does nothing for me,” I lie.
He laughs again, a big loud belly roll. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop. The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable now that we’re living together,” he says calmly now, the last few words rolling off his tongue like they taste bad.
“Wow. All I heard from that was how excited you are to live with me,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
He smirks. “Sorry. I honestly don’t have a good track record living with women. It’s not your fault, I know, but even the thought of it gives me hives. All the more reason Marcus had a good point about me keeping my hands to myself.”
His shoulders rise and fall. He doesn’t look at me, and I wait a few minutes as we walk.
“Well, I agree. As unhappy as I might be about it.” I blatantly look him up and down. “I don’t want a relationship. Like ever, and I’m probably a typical girl when it comes to having a messy bathroom, so I guess, just be glad you don’t have to share with me.”
I stick my elbow out and graze his ribs.
“Silver lining though, I can cook hella good food so maybe my bad qualities as a roommate will even out.”
I throw out my cheesiest smile, showing as many teeth as possible. He still doesn’t say anything, but a giant smile stretches across his face like I said something that was the exact answer to his trivia question.
“What? What did I say?”
“Nothing,” he says, shaking his head, ripping his gaze from mine.
“So we agree. We will not be enjoying any kind of sex with each other,” I say in a low, sad voice.
Looking at his shoes, he doesn’t say anything either, and I hope I’m right in saying he looked as disappointed as I felt.
“Well, these tacos aren’t going to eat themselves, and I totally forgot I promised Charlie some. Which means I’ll need to get some for Marcus too,” I say with more pep, hoping it doesn’t get awkward.
“Okay. I have a meeting around the corner but should be home around four.”
“Good for you.” I wink.
“Sorry, bad habit, one I promise to break as soon as possible,” he says, looking embarrassed and turns and walks backward until he reaches the corner. “See you around, Lyla.”
“See ya.” I turn around with what I know is a stupid fucking grin on my face and walk back to the taco stand.