Page 25 of The Hookup Situation
“Of course.” There’s no other option because we need to discuss what the hell just happened.
After a long pause, Julie sucks in a deep breath and pulls away. She walks through the dining room, avoiding eye contact with everyone. I immediately miss her closeness, exactly how I did this morning when she thought she was sneaking out. I was awake, but I didn’t want to make it awkward for her. The thought makes me laugh.
I move to the register to order a drink, and Blaire grins at me.
“What are you having today? The normal black serial-killer coffee, just like last season?”
“I’m a changed man,” I admit. “I’ll have an Earl Grey with a dash of milk, a spoonful of honey, and one raw sugar.”
When I pull out my wallet, she shakes her head.
“So bougie. This one’s on the house.”
Blaire punches a few buttons on the computer, and I hear the order print. I catch a glimpse of Julie in the back, chatting with the other manager. My eyes slide over to the evening crew, making my tea, while Blaire stares at me.
“You’ll never be able to read me,” I tell her.
“Ahh, you’re not as obtuse as you believe, Banks.” Curiosity radiates off her in rolling waves. “But I’d love to listen if you care to explain.”
“I plead the Fifth.”
“Typical billionaire response,” she says.
“I’ll let your bestie tell you what’s going on.” I move to the end of the counter, and she follows me.
“Oh, you’d better believe she will tell me everything,” shewhispers, which does absolutely nothing. “I have at least fifteen follow-up questions after that kiss.”
“Honestly?” I laugh. “I do too.”
My Earl Grey appears, and as I grab it, Julie approaches me, sliding her hand into mine.
“I want all the deets,” Blaire yells as I’m tugged outside, around the building wall, and away from the nosy customers of Cozy Coffee.
Her face is still red. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Can I walk you home?” I hold my arm out for her, and she loops hers through it with a nod.
Her green eyes and bright red hair practically sparkle under the afternoon sunlight. She’s a dream.
On the stroll to her place, we don’t say much. The two of us are too lost in our heads—or at least I am. Julie lives close, but I’ve never been to her place before.
“That was …” She removes her arm from mine as we cross the busy street.
“Intense?” I glance over at her as we file in behind a crowd of tourists.
“I was going to say unexpected, but intense works too.” She chuckles. “I don’t know what happened back there.”
“I don’t either,” I reply, brushing my fingers against hers as we walk. “You needed an out, and I gave you one. Just didn’t expect you to kiss me.”
We turn up the sidewalk to her place.
“Ohhh, no, no, no, you were the one who kissedme,” she says.
“Nope. I’m a gentleman. Ialwaysask first. You stood on your tiptoes, and I couldn’t deny you in front of that piece of shit.”
“You were moving close, so I thought you were … wait, so it was a pity kiss?” She sounds offended.
I don’t know how to respond. “Hell no. The opportunity presented itself, and it happened. But youtotallykissed me.”
