Page 73 of Doughn't Let Me Go

“You’re not buying me dinner, Porter.”

I ignore her.

“I’ll take two slices of your cheese stick pizza, and she’ll have two slices of pepperoni. One strawberry milkshake and one chocolate. We’ll also take a basket of fries, a side of cheese dip, and if you toss in at least four things of ranch, I’ll make sure you get a good tip.”

The kid grins. “You got it, sir.”

Then he scurries off and Dory stares at me. I don’t have to look at her to know her eyes are full of anger.

“That’sa lotof food. Are you really going to eat all that?”

“No.We’regoing to eat all that.”

“Porter—”

“For fuck’s sake, Dory,” I say, maybe a little too harshly, as I spin toward her. “Can’t I just buy you dinner? It doesn’t have to mean anything. You’re an employee, and I’d like to think a friend too. Friends do this for each other. Just shut up and let it happen.”

She blinks once.

Then again.

Then she grins.

“Friends…I like that.”

“Yeah, what did you think we were? Mortal enemies?”

“Sometimes it feels that way.”

She laughs, but I don’t.

Because sometimes itdoesfeel that way.

I’d like to say it won’t one day, but until I can forget the way she felt under me, we’ll always skirt that line between friends and wanting more.

We both know it’s not anger between us, not really, more like frustration…of the sexual nature.

“Since we’re going to have this huge meal, why don’t we move to that booth that just opened up?”

It’s her suggestion, which surprises me.

A booth means more privacy, especially considering it’s the one in the back she’s pointing to.

I nod. “Let’s do it.”

I wave to the waiter and then motion toward the booth.

He nods, understanding.

I try to avert my gaze as Dory hops down off the stool, try not to look at the way her short skirt fits her in all the right ways.

I fail.

She either doesn’t notice or doesn’t want to bring it up. She gathers the rest of her things, and I grab my beer and the book.

My hand falls to her lower back as she leads us back to the booth. It feels natural. Normal. Like that’s just where my hand goes when it comes to her.

I realize how we look right now.

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