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In my defense, I’m not in the right headspace to be making out with grumpy single dads in the dark. I just walked out on an engagement and I’m still dealing with the fallout from that. A majorly inappropriate rebound is the last thing I need. At least I’m mature enough to recognize that. Brownie points for me, I guess.
Still, I hate that I’ve made things weird between Nolan and me.
Right before he shuts himself in his office, his gaze flicks to mine from across the distance.
That look he just gave me was definitely not I want to jump your bones, but much more along the lines of Are you seriously still on break?
Before I can figure it out, he’s gone.
Joe leaves to take the trash outside, and I hop up and take care of my plate. Then, I follow Nolan into his office after a brief courtesy knock.
His head pops up from where he’s seated behind his old and rickety desk. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, how much will rent be? You know, since I’m staying at your house now.” It’s been on my mind all week. I can’t keep living under his roof for free. It’s not how I roll.
But he immediately bristles, waving his hand to dismiss my question. “Don’t worry about it.”
I prop my hand on my hip. “Nolan. I’m not staying with you for free.”
“Well, I’m not taking rent money from you.” He shrugs. “So maybe you’ll find another way to pay me off.”
I freeze.Pay me off…?
The suggestive words he just spoke obviously did not match his grumpy tone.
It seems to take him a few seconds to catch up and realize how dirty he just sounded.
Nolan pauses. Shifts in his seat. Then, he meets my eyes with a cringe. “Um. That sounded way different in my head,” he mutters.
His face right now is just priceless. I can’t help myself—I burst out laughing. “I know you didn’t mean it like that.”
But a teeny tiny part of me kind of almost wishes he did.
“Sorry.” Shaking his head, Nolan apologizes for his accidental innuendo. “Lack of sleep.” And despite his grumpy mood, he cracks the smallest of smiles.
It’s not something I’m rewarded with very much. Especially at work. It makes my chest warm up. “You should do that more often.”
“Do what?” Nolan asks, his brows pinching together. Even his look of confusion is a cute one.
“Smile. It looks good on you.”
His storm blue eyes pierce me as they flick down and then back up. They leave this wake of white hot heat all throughout my body.His voice comes out in a low tone. “Careful there, Machado. I might just think you’re flirting with me.”
Fuck. Am I? Am I seriously flirting with the boss man? Again? I need to stop doing that. Nothing good could come of it.
No inappropriate rebounds, Inez. No inappropriate rebounds.
I try to shake off the blush racing up my neck. “Er…I should get back to work. Y’know, before the late night crowd picks up.”
I don’t wait for a response, turning and walking out of his office. All throughout the rest of the night, I still keep thinking about this whole weird-as-hell energy we have going on.
But it all boils down to this—Nolan Brighton has got layers of dust and cobwebs covering up his heart. And after everything I just went through, I don’t have the fortitude in me to try and convince a guy like that to love me. So, I’ve got to keep my head on straight where he’s concerned.
After the bar closes, the rest of the staff goes home for the night. Nolan and I stay back on our own to finish the closing tasks. I didn’t think it was possible, but the tension is even worse when we’re alone together. There’s this constant buzzing I can hear almost as strongly as I can feel it.
When we finish up at work, we ride home together, as is becoming our usual routine. The drive is quiet and uncomfortable because Nolan is still hellbent on keeping his distance all while keeping me hostage under his roof. Such a strange man.
But I’m sick and tired of the weirdness in the air. Sure—hooking up is off the table. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be cool with each other.
