Page 22 of Unforgettable

It’s exactly what I need before I embark on a life that is the complete opposite of the man I am and everything I love. I try not to focus on how my time here in Burlington, and at V and V, is a bittersweet reminder that after the summer, my life will look a whole lot different.

I try to trick myself into thinking this littleeat, pray, lovestint will make it easier for me to move back to Connecticut and work for one of the biggest finance companies in the country.

I tell myself every chance I get that the experience and the memories will be what sustain me while I begrudgingly work for my parents.

I’m also well aware I’m lying to myself. But for now, it’s working, unlike the lies I tell myself about Oz Walker.

I had an inkling it would be somewhat awkward seeing him at V and V, and I should’ve known I would be the one who would make it awkward, but I honestly don’t know how to stop myself.

Every time I see him, I think of sex. And every time I think of sex, my body responds a little too inappropriately for a workplace setting, and I can’t seem to make it stop.

The most logical thing to do is to avoid him, and I’m trying, but as if he knows the effect he has on me, he’s making it damn near impossible.

He’s everywhere. All the time. It doesn’t matter that he works in the bar and I work in the bookstore. He knows everyone and knows how to do everything. If there’s a problem, someone calls him. If there isn’t, someone still calls him. He’s the backbone of Vino and Veritas, and it doesn’t matter that he’s employed to be the brawn of this place, because it’s obvious he’s so much more.

Regardless of how hard I try to ignore him, or how rude it comes across, he always takes it in stride. Somehow, he’s managed to respect my wishes, even though I never made them known. He’s giving me distance while still being the same polite, considerate man I met at Speakeasy.

He smiles at me every time he sees me. Saying hello, saying goodbye. In the best and the worst ways, he’s under my skin and it is killing me.

“I’m almost done,” Murph calls out at the same time Tanner says, “can you please stay for an extra hour?”

I look between the both of them and momentarily feel deflated that I’ll be eating dinner by myself instead of with Murph like we planned.

Murph glances over at me, looking guilty. “Do you mind? You know I could always do with the extra cash.”

Knowing how much saving means to him, I offer a sincere smile. “Of course I don’t mind,” I appease. “I can cook dinner for you so there’s something ready whenever you get home.”

“Or you could eat dinner with me and buy something for him on the way home?” Oz’s voice tickles my spine, causing my skin to erupt in goose bumps.

Slowly, I turn to look over my shoulder and he’s standing right there. So close. So unbelievably close.

“Hey,” I say, my voice a little croaky. I swallow hard and turn to face a wide-eyed Murph before gaining the courage to look back at Oz.

“Can I have a seat?” Nodding, I watch him pull a stool out from under the bar and sit beside me. “How have you been?” he asks.

“Good,” I squeak out.

He chuckles softly, shaking his head at me. “Never have I ever been purposely ignored after a one-night stand.”

Embarrassed, I immediately bury my face in my hands, covering my glasses. Even though alcohol isn’t involved, I know he’s trying to use something familiar to the both of us to get his point across.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out.

“I’m not asking for an apology,” he says. “I was just hoping we could be friends.”

“Friends?”

He shrugs nonchalantly. “I know I’ve seen you naked, but I was thinking we could still make it work.”

This time, I feel my face split into a smile, regardless of the heat that fills my cheeks.

“There’s that smile,” he says tenderly. “I was starting to think our night together left a bad taste in your mouth.”

“No.” I shake my head at him vehemently, because nothing could be further from the truth. Instead of trying to fumble through an explanation, I try his approach to get my point across. “Never have I ever thought of sex every time I’ve seen my one-night stand at work.”

“I guess we’re on the same page then,” he admits, surprising me.

“We are?” I ask stupidly.

---