Page 23 of The Plus One Professional

Hanky-panky?Had I just really said that out loud? That was worse thanphone tag, you’re it.

Why did I have to speak when I was nervous? And if I did speak, why did I have to say things like ‘hanky-panky’? It was nearly as embarrassing as sneezing when I got turned on. Speaking of that, I could feel my nose tickling now.

Cole’s lips curled up at the edges in amusement. “Right. Nohanky-panky,” he rasped.

How in the world had Cole made the words hanky and panky hot? I had no clue, but somehow, he’d pulled it off. He took a step closer, and the tickle got worse as my nostrils flared of their own accord.No, no, no.I tried my best to stop it, but I couldn’t.

My only saving grace was the fact that I managed to cover my mouth before my face exploded. “Achoo.”

Just like when we’d been locked in the bathroom, he handed me a handkerchief.

“Oh, no, I still have your other one.” It was sitting on my nightstand. I sniffed it every night before I went to sleep and every morning when I woke up, inhaling the sandalwood scent.

“Take it,” he insisted.

My phone rang, and I saw it was Billie. “Sorry, I have to…” I lifted it to my ear. “Hey, I was just?—”

“The bride left her veil at the church.”

I didn’t want to leave Cole, but I knew the only reason she was telling me was because she also didn’t want to go back. “Okay. I’ll go.”

I hung up the phone and sighed. “Sorry about that; um, I have to go, but it was nice seeing you.”

If I wasn’t mistaken, disappointment flickered in Cole’s eyes. “You, too.”

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just lifted my hand in an awkward wave. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

His chin dipped in a sharp nod. “See ya.”

I turned and headed to the kitchen. With each step I took, I could feel his stare on me; the tiny hairs on my arms were standing on end. I glanced over my shoulder as I pushed the swinging door open, and sure enough, his eyes were locked on me. The heat from the ovens and stovetops was nothing compared to Cole’s stare.

When I got to my car and started to drive away, I felt strange. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with the information I’d just been given. Cole was a plus-one professional. So many questions were buzzing around my head. Did I believe him when he said that he didn’t sleep with his clients? Did it matter if he did or not? How had he gotten into that line of work?

I might not have the answer to any of those things, but I knew one thing for sure. Trevor was going to be over the moon that he’d been right.

10

COLE

She sneezed.Again. In my book, that was just one more piece of evidence that corroborated what I’d overheard Bailey and her sister discussing. She sneezed when she got turned on. I’d seen the look in her eyes right before it happened. Her cheeks had flushed, and the air between us was charged.

I hadn’t stopped smiling since I’d left the reception.

Today had not gone as I’d expected; it had been even better. Even though I lost one of my favorite clients, I couldn’t be happier for Layla and Enoch. I loved playing such a pivotal role in their love story. And I’d seen Bailey with the green eyes and golden hair. And she sneezed…again.

“Hey, there, young man. You’ve got quite the pep in your step!” Arthur called out from where he sat on his fire escape.

“It’s the clothes. How could I not?”

Arthur tipped the brim of his San Francisco Giants ballcap toward me with a nod. I could see how happy it made him to see his suits being worn and appreciated. I waved before heading into the building. On the way up the steps, I couldn’t stop thinking about Bailey. I wondered if she was thinking of me, too.

Today, her hair had been in a style I’d never seen it in before. It was pulled up in a bun, which revealed the sexy slope of her neck. She’d had on a blazer that should have concealed her hourglass curves but instead hinted at them just enough that even a gay man could appreciate her form. Literally. Layla and I sat next to a very nice same-sex couple during the reception, and both men commented on what a snack the wedding planner was. I’d kept my opinion to myself out of respect for both Layla and Bailey, but inwardly, I wholeheartedly agreed with their observations.

If things were different, if my life were different, I would have asked her out today. I’d almost done it, despite my lifestyle not being conducive to romantic relationships. If she hadn’t gotten called away, I might have.

After Layla left to go get her man, I heard someone around the corner. I got nervous when I saw it was Bailey. I was worried that she had overheard my conversation, which she had. But now I was glad the truth was out there. It felt like she knew a part of me that few people did. I’m not sure what I had expected her reaction to be upon finding out about TPOP, but I thought she had taken it well. She didn't seem judgmental at all.

I was drawn to her in a way I’d never experienced before. I just wanted to be near her. Whenever I was with her, I felt calm and totally at peace. She was like the sun after a freezing, cold winter. She radiated warmth and was a sustaining life force.

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