While Wayde was technically doing everything right, his personality kept doing everything wrong. He picked Castle Italiano for the restaurant, which was nice but not too fancy for a lunch date. Good food, pleasant atmosphere, and since he didn’t know how I’d dress, whatever I wore would blend in.
Perfect on paper.
Wayde picked me up in his gray Toyota Camry that, according to him, was exactly three years old. He told me he celebrates his car’s take-home day with a car wash. He thought that was a cute tidbit about himself.
It wasn’t.
“That sounds great.”
“Have you ever been?”
But before I could even answer, he kept going, “I went during the summer, which is the perfect time to go. The flowers in the fields are in full bloom. It’s not like here, where there’s so much heat and humidity. Just perfect weather in the Alps.”
Despite the endless talk about himself and the wonderful things he had done throughout his life, what killed it for me was eating his bread with a fork and knife.
Maybe that made me picky, but it really horrified me. Did they do that in the Swiss Alps? Was that where he picked it up and thought he was being European, even though he’s American?
It’s a bread roll, for God’s sake; use your damn hands.
I decided I needed a break from his amazing stories and excused myself for the restroom. I made my way to the back corner of the restaurant and turned down the hallway. That was when I saw him. Jenner was standing at the end, near the men’s restroom, staring at me.
Had he been waiting for me? No, it must be a coincidence.
“Jenner, what are you doing here?” I moved closer, and he joined me halfway down the hallway.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said.
Whoa, that was weird.
“By the restrooms?” I snorted. “No, that’s not creepy at all.”
“Your brother is here.”
My eyes widened, and I quickly glanced over my shoulder. Thankfully, I was hiding in the hallway, but he could turn the corner at any moment. “I’ve got to get out of here. Do you think there’s a window in the ladies’ room I could climb out of?”
Jenner frowned, and, when he reached over, placing his hand on my upper arm, I sucked in a breath. The past two years vanished with that touch, and electricity traveled straight to my core. I bit my lower lip and tried not to stare at his lips.
“If there is a window, I suspect it’s too small to fit anyone. The men’s bathroom doesn’t even have a window. And besides, I’ll help you get out of here.”
“You will?”
Jenner rested his hand on my other arm, holding me in place. My nipples hardened, and my breath quickened. Standing in a restaurant hallway, I realized I hadn’t felt this turned-on in years. That was how unsexy my life had been for a long time.
It didn’t mean I wasn’t horny from time to time, and I took care of that myself because there wasn’t anyone. And who did I fantasize about during those moments? Jenner.
I probably should have fantasized about some random model or actor because I wondered if my body had developed a Pavlovian response to Jenner.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and I shouldn’t have just left after meeting Jenni.”
My heart soared in my chest as he spoke. Now I realized he was only in shock at the hospital. I was stupid to believe he wouldn’t need some time to adjust. Since I had known Jenni since the day she was born, I assumed Jenner would instantly fall in love with her, just like I had.
“I’d love for you to get to know Jenni. She’s the sweetest little girl, and when she smiles, she reminds me of you.”
Jenner took a step closer, still holding my arms. My chest brushed against his, and I felt the heat roll off him. It seemed like old times, when we would sneak off to a room where we knew my brother wouldn’t find us.
I desperately wanted to reach up and wrap my arms around him. He smelled like warmth and desire, and I wanted to indulge.
“Why did you keep her from me?” A flicker of agony flashed across his eyes, making it difficult to watch him.