Page 69 of Love Me Not

Instead of arguing, he crossed his arms and said, “How long did you date those guys?”

I had to think. “Some only a few weeks, and the longest was maybe a couple of months.”

“I’ve known you two and a half months, and I’ve talked to you at least five days a week for half that time. Did you see any of those guys as much as you’ve seen me since school started?”

“No.”

“Then I know you more than they did and I say they were wrong.”

How did I argue with that? “We’ve been coworkers and friends. You don’t know what I’m like in a relationship.”

Trey was not deterred. “You’re the realest person I know so I doubt you’re any different.” He turned, pulling one knee up onto the couch, and slid a hand under my heel to make room. “May I?”

The heat of his touch reached through the thin sock. “Sure,” I said, sounding breathless.

He pulled my foot up over his leg and gently massaged the ball of my foot with his thumb. My whole body went on red alert while relaxing at the same time. The conversation continued and I struggled to keep up as my brain was in danger of oozing out my ears.

“How long has it been since you dated one of those bozos?” he asked.

Swallowing a moan, I said, “Four years.”

His thumb paused but maintained the pressure against my foot. “You haven’t dated in four years?”

Whatever button he was pushing down there shut off my ability to talk, leaving me no option but to shake my head no.

“I thought I’d gone a long time.”

My head shot up. “What?”

Trey slid his thumb down the arch of my foot. “You aren’t the only one who took yourself off the market.”

How was I just now hearing this? “Since when?”

He tilted his head and looked up to the ceiling in thought. “Close to three years now.”

Unbelievable. “Why didn’t you mention this before? Everything has been about my refusal to date, when you were doing the same thing.”

“Not exactly the same. I have no problem with dating. I just decided not to casually date anymore. If I’m going to put myself out there, it has to be for someone worth my time and effort.”

That felt like a compliment. “So you’re saying I’m worth your time and effort?”

Trey squeezed my big toe. “That’s what I’ve been saying, yeah.”

The foot massage wasn’t the only thing melting my resistance.

“That’s nice to hear.” Smile in place, he watched me with brows high as if waiting for something. “What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said with a sigh and leaned forward to reach for his pop.

“Don’t do that. What am I missing?”

Eyes on the can, he shrugged. “I was hoping you’d say the same back, but I promised not to pressure you so forget about it.”

He was so cute when he was being needy. A thought I never in a million years could have imagined crossing my mind.

“Trey Collins, are you fishing for compliments?” I teased, repeating his own words from the night before.

“Forget I said anything,” he mumbled before taking a drink.

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