Page 6 of Risk

“Yeah, thought I’d treat myself to a few beers. It’s a celebration after all.”

I clink my glass to his beer bottle. “Cheers to that.”

We each take another drink, and then we fall silent.

I feel awkward around him, like I did when I first met him and thought he was the hottest guy I’d ever seen. But I coached myself to ignore my crush and be normal around him and not act like a stupid teenage girl.

And now, I’m right back here again. I blame Ari.

“So—” we both say at the same time and then laugh.

“You first,” he tells me.

“No, you,” I insist. I was only going to ask him if he’d had a good day, which would have been as dumb as when I asked if they werehaving funwhen I first walked over.

“I was just gonna ask, how’s school going?”

“Good. I’m enjoying it.”

“You still working at the diner?”

“Yeah. That I don’t enjoy, but it’s money, and I have bills to pay.”

I laugh lightly, shrugging, and he chuckles.

“How are things at the gym going?” I turn to face him, resting my hip against the bar.

He owns a gym that trains fighters, old and new, but it’s also a public gym, too. I think the building is split into two parts. I know it runs classes—boxercise, yoga, Pilates, high-intensity workouts, that kind of thing. Everything I should be doing, but never have the time or inclination to do. I’m lucky I was blessed with good genetics, though I know they won’t last forever.

He takes another sip of his beer. “Good. Same old. Keeps me busy.”

“I really need to come check the place out.”

He bought the gym around the time he bought his apartment. I know it’s not far from where he lives, but it’s another place I haven’t been to.

“There’s always a free pass with your name on it.”

“That’s so kind of you. I will get there to use it, but between school, studying, and working at the diner, I don’t have much time for anything else.”

“So, you’re not dating at the moment?”

Huh? Did he just ask…

Yeah, he did.

Is this him flirting with me? Like, is he asking because he’s interested or because he’s just simply making conversation?

Fuck, I wish I could ask Ari. She’d know if he was flirting with me or just being the usual friendly Kaden.

I glance at his body, looking for any sign or signal that he might be interested in me for more than just friendship, but I just end up getting distracted by the sight of him in his suit.

Damn, he wears it well.

But…his body is angled my way, hips turned toward me, so maybe…

“No. Not dating at the moment. You? I mean, are you dating anyone?”

Why did I ask him the same question? I don’t know if I actually want to know the answer. Because if he says yes, then, of course, it’ll sting. Not that he’s dated anyone in the years I’ve known him—that I know of—but we don’t have the type of relationship where we ask those questions. Up until now, that is.

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