Page 11 of Stay with Me

I remain silent watching him. After a few moments of silence, he looks up from the sushi platter in his lap. Those blue eyes pleading for something. I’m not sure what.

“Are … are you okay?”

He shrugs. “I’m here. That’s what matters. I think this is the freshest sushi I’ve ever had from that place.”

I allow the change in subject, feeling the panic trying to grasp ahold of me. “Yeah, I was thinking that too. That’s saying a lot. I didn’t think it could get better.”

“How are things? Business good?”

“I can’t complain.”

“I meant what I said last night. You look great. You still run in the mornings?”

I smile. “Yeah, you planning on popping up for those like you used to?”

He gives one of those sexy grins. “I remember you asking me not to anymore.”

I look away. I did ask him to stop. It was starting to feel too much like a relationship, but that was a long time ago. A very long time ago.

“Damn, we have a lot of history,” he says as if reading my mind and releases a chuckle.

“Yes, we do.”

“Listen, Rem?—”

“Miss Walden, your father is here to see you,” my assistant, Mike’s voice comes through the line.

Funny, he didn’t announce Knight like he was supposed to. I close my eyes and sigh. I almost forgot Daddy was coming in for a talk. Knight looks crestfallen as he starts to pack up his food.

“Thank you. Give me a moment to wrap this meeting up,” I say to Mike.

“I’ll get out of your hair. It was good to see you. Don’t be a stranger, Rem. I want to spend some more time with you.”

I stand as I wipe my hands on a wet wipe. “I’ll walk you out.”

He purses his lips. I know it’s because I haven’t committed to seeing him again. He nods and turns to leave.

When we get to the door, I reach to touch his arm. “Knight, I’m in a different place. I … I’m looking for something more.”

“You don’t know what I’m looking for. What if we’re on the same page?”

I scoff. “Even if we are. We can’t.”

He wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me close to his chest. Dipping his head, he pecks my lips. “I’m getting tired of hearing you say that. I’ll see you soon.”

With that, he leaves my office. I lift my hand to my lips. The fact that they tingle even after he’s out of my sight tells me that I need to stick to my guns. This can’t happen.

CHAPTER 5

Buddies

Knight

“What’s up?” Harris says as I walk into his apartment.

Harris and I used to be partners before I became an undercover detective. When we got promoted, we were placed on the same team. He was on the team that had my back in this last case.

After stopping in to see Reminisce, I got a text to come over for a few beers. I’m game. It’s better than sitting at my place staring at the walls.

---