Page 72 of Why Not Both?

Then the spell is broken as the front door opens and Daze comes in. I move away from him and feel cold.

“Hey, Daze,” I call. “How was work?”

She comes down the hall. “It was fine. What were you watching?”

“We just finished Evil Dead,” I say.

She shudders. “No, thank you. I’m going for a shower. Are you making dinner?”

“Just about to put it in the oven.”

“You’re a peach.”

She goes into her room, closing the door behind her. I have a feeling she’s not going to be heading into that shower immediately.

“Do you want to stay for dinner?” I ask as I go into the kitchen and turn on the oven.

In the half second before his answer, a war wages in my brain. I want him to say yes so I can spend more time with him. But I also want him to say no so I don’t have to constantly remind myself why we’re supposed to be just friends.

“I would, but I have plans with Derek. Another time?”

“Sure. Do you have to leave now?”

“Pretty quick. Unless you need help with something?”

“No.” I pull a casserole from the fridge that I’d made previously. “It just needs to heat for about an hour.”

He gets himself ready to leave and I follow him to the door.

“Admit it,” he says. “You had fun today.”

“I will never admit that. You can’t make me. But I hope you know that next time, we’re running the Seawall in Stanley Park.”

“The whole thing?”

“Of course. You made me hike up a mountain. I’m making you run around Stanley Park.”

“How long is that?”

“Only about ten kilometers.”

“Ten?”

“Just be grateful I’m not making you do the whole Seawall.”

“Don’t even joke about that.” He gathers me against him in a hug, pressing a kiss to my hair. “I’ll see you tomorrow, firecracker.”

Then he’s gone. I stand at the door for a lot longer than I should, replaying the feeling of his arms wrapped around me, his lips on my head, too far away from my own lips. The oven beeps telling me it’s ready for the casserole. I turn and grab the hoodie he’s left behind again, holding it for a moment before I pull it on.

Chapter 26

Spencer

In the middle of July, I’m working on my outline for the following day’s wedding. Our corporate client lunch is wrapping up and I’ve already sent the clean-up crews to get started.

Something has changed in the last few weeks since the Grouse Grind hike. Lis and I flirt more, sharing more quick touches and hugs. Though she still hasn’t let us cross that line that she put between us, we’ve certainly made our way closer to crossing it.

“Okay. I’ve had enough.”

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