Page 23 of Unforgettable

“It was a great night, Reeve. And if I wasn’t sure we both want different things, I would do it again.”

My body twists in anticipation at the mere mention of more, but my conscience is relieved that I’m not the only one who feels like crossing any more lines would be a bad idea.

I need a new relationship like I need a hole in the head, and no matter how many times I tell myself I can be cool and casual, it isn’t my style.

I extend my arm out to Oz. “Friends it is, then?”

We shake on it and then he asks, “Good enough friends to go grab dinner together?”

“Oh. You were serious about that.”

He tips his head toward Murph. “I don’t think he’s finishing anytime soon and we’ve both been working all day.” When I don’t answer, Oz rises off the stool and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Think it over. I need to talk to Tanner about something before I leave anyway.”

He walks away and I struggle to take my eyes off the back of him. He’s dressed in all black: jeans that hug his thick thighs, and his Vino and Veritas shirt that shows off the works of art that are his biceps.

“Here’s a napkin,” Murph says, sidling up to my side of the bar. “There’s a little bit of drool on your chin.”

Turning to meet his gaze, I smack his hand away from my face. “Shut up. I was not drooling.”

“What did he want?” he asks.

“To go to dinner,” I supply. “As friends?”

“Why does it sound like you’re questioning your friendship? Are you asking me if you two are friends?”

“What?” I shake my head in confusion. “We are friends.”

“Are you? You’re the one asking me.” He wipes down the area of the bar in front of him. “When are you going to dinner? Tonight?”

“I haven’t answered,” I state.

“Go,” Murph implores. “I’m pretty sure Tanner wants me to stay on longer than just an hour, and I’ll be beat by the time I get home anyway.”

“Are you sure?” I ask guiltily.

“Make friends, Reeve. You and I can hang out another time.” He thrusts the napkin in my face. “But maybe take this with you. It looks like you’re going to need it.”

This time, I snatch it out of his hand and glance up just in time to see Oz walking back toward me. He’s replaced his work tee with a fresh looking, short-sleeved shirt. It’s a swirl of colors that are supposed to look hideous together, but for some reason, against his tanned skin it works. The first three buttons are undone, giving me an eyeful of his sculpted chest.

His strides are large, and his eyes are glued to me. He walks with pride and determination, confidence in his gait, unlike any man I’ve ever seen.

I could watch him all day.

Murph leans over the bar and whispers in my ear. “I want all the details in the morning.”

“It’s just dinner,” I murmur out the side of my mouth, refusing to take my eyes off Oz.

Oz finally reaches me. “Are you ready?”

It’s a casual question, to a casual invitation, but when he holds his hand out for me to take, my heart trips over a beat.

He may mean it as an innocent gesture, but the intimacy of it is not lost on me. For a split second I contemplate turning down his offer. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place of wanting to go out and make friends and live without the constant need to second guess myself. But also, well aware there’s something dangerous about the way I feel around Oz, something I shouldn’t but want to continue to feel.

As if he can hear the war waging inside my mind, he lowers his hand and smiles at me thoughtfully. “Just friends, Reeve. I promise.”

I want to kick myself for overthinking everything, especially when we both made it very clear that the one night was all we were looking for.

Shaking my head, I stand. “Of course,” I confirm. “Just ignore me.”

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