“Go.”
* * *
When I finally convince Beth to leave, I settle Cami down, then head out to a local Italian restaurant to place an order.
Nerves bubble in my stomach as I wait at the restaurant’s takeout counter. Which is surprising. I don’t remember the last time a woman made me nervous. I don’t even remember the last time I took a woman on a date. I’m usually pretty easygoing when it comes to women; if I meet a pretty girl at a bar, and we click, then I’ll take her home. If she’s not interested, I move right on.
But Beth is different. I want to impress her. I want her to want me, as well as Jack.
God, it’s been over a year since we shared a girl. I forgot how much it turned me on. When I walked in on the two of them kissing, my dick practically turned to stone.
A server hands me my order, packaged up in a big paper bag, and I tip him absentmindedly, heading out into the sunny London streets. My thoughts wander as I walk home.
I was kind of disappointed that we couldn’t all go out tonight, but maybe it’s better this way. A formal date would’ve felt too romantic. I’ve learned the hard way that women don’t really want me for romance. I’ve tried to have real relationships in the past, but the general feedback seems to be that I’m good for sex, and that’s about it.
Which is fine. I’m good at sex. I like it. It’s more than enough for me.
So I’m not exactly sure why I go back to the flat and start setting the food I ordered onto plates on our living room floor. I don’t know why I’m covering the linoleum in blankets and cushions, or arranging electric candles, or pouring glasses of wine. I have absolutely no idea why I start the record player spinning a vinyl, and dim the lights to a low, ambient glow. All I do know is, when I’m done, the effect is even more romantic than a restaurant. The atmosphere doesn’t screamlet’s have sex.It screamsI really like you and want you to like me too.
Shit.
Jack steps out of his bedroom, dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a tight black t-shirt. Normally I’d gripe at him for not making an effort, but for him, that’s practically white tie. He surveys the room, his eyebrows raised. “Wow. You weren’t kidding about the date thing, huh?
I grunt, opening a packet of breadsticks.
“You know, she told me she didn’t do relationships.” He glances across the plates. “Maybe this is a bit much.”
“Does it look like I’ve dropped an engagement ring at the bottom of her wine glass? This isn’t arelationship, it’s just dinner.”
He worries his bottom lip. “I just don’t want to scare her away.”
I arrange the breadsticks in a bowl. “You like her. I like her. She likes us both. What’s the best outcome of tonight?” He doesn’t say anything. I sigh. “You can’t just drop a threesome on a girl. Especially since she’s our nanny. She might end up feeling… I don’t know, used, or some shit. Besides.” I unpack a box of olives, setting it on the blanket. “I get the feeling that she’s not used to people taking care of her. She deserves it, after spending the last week taking care of us. Don’t you think?”
“Of courseIdo,” Jack says. “I just can’t believe that you do, too.”
I frown. “What’sthatsupposed to mean?”
He shakes his head. “Come on, Cy. This isn’t exactly how you treat your one-night-stands.” He tilts his head, studying me. “She doesn’t want a boyfriend. Don’t blow this into something it will never be.”
I glare at him, but before I can think of what to say, there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Jack calls, and Beth opens the door.
“How is she?” she asks, her gaze immediately going to Cami.
“The same,” I say, standing. “Check on her?”
She gives me a soft smile, stepping forward into the flat, and I can’t stop my eyes running down her body. She looks incredible. She’s dressed in a little white lace dress that trails down to her mid-thigh. Her red curls are pulled up behind her head in a soft bun, tiny tendrils hanging around her face, and she’s fastened a black ribbon choker around her slim throat. With her freckle-spangled skin glowing in the candlelight, she looks fucking angelic.
She crosses the room to Cami’s cot and checks her temperature again, then nods. “She’s fine. It would have to be a lot higher before we need to worry about a doctor.” She looks around the room, taking in the food, and I shift my weight, suddenly embarrassed.
“Wow,” she says softly. “This is incredible. Did you guys do all this for me?”
“It was all Cy,” Jack says, and I fight the urge to scowl at him. Beth looks up at me, her brown eyes gleaming like cinnamon under the soft lights. I don’t think I’ve ever met a redhead with brown eyes before. It’s a surprisingly striking combination: spicy and fiery and warm.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I don’t know what to say, so I just grin, nodding to the picnic. “Are you hungry?”