Page 29 of One Night to Fall
I stareat the message and wait for the three little bubbles to appear, but nothing happens. Jesse hadn’t returned any of my texts in the last three days, and it was the first time since we started hooking up that it felt like an actual hookup.
His explanation didn’t make me feel better either—I’m good enough to fuck but not to help when he’s hurting?
Of course not; that’s not what we’re doing.
Letting my head fall back against the couch, I stare up at the ceiling. How long am I going to keep doing this?
I’d been worried about him and I’d only been an afterthought. I naively thought underneath all thewe’re just friendsbullshit with the hiking and pumpkins and bringing myfavorite beer to a scenic overlook, that things were changing for us.
On the other hand, I know how much his family means to him. So maybe this one last time, I can be the bigger person and let it go.
ADRIAN: I’m glad that things with Reid are okay
JESSE: Me too. Thanks for being such a good friend.
Fuck.
21
ADRIAN
Petit Squared is packed when I step inside, everyone buzzing around with their fall-flavored lattes that will undoubtedly be part of a photoshoot as soon as they leave here. My rain cloud of a mood has nothing to do with the fact that Jesse popped into my inbox this morning like nothing’s wrong. Like he hadn’t given me another four days of radio silence.
I just want a regular coffee.
“Is it always this busy?” a deep male voice asks behind me, the scent of crisp air and bergamot mixing with the smell of coffee and cinnamon.
Turning to the side, I’m a little stunned by the good-looking stranger behind me. His blonde hair is shorter on the sides, the top long and swept off his forehead, with enticing crystal-blue eyes and a smile that says he knows how striking he is.
Wow.
“Oh, uh, not usually,” I tell him, recovering quickly. “Are you visiting?”
“I live about an hour north of here but I’m in town the next couple of days for my brother’s wedding.” He gives me anotherdazzling smile, and my stomach dips at the attention but also at the sliver of unease that I’m doing something wrong.
Jesse has never promised me anything but a good time. He doesn’t want a relationship.
So why does it feel like I shouldn’t be doing this?
“I’m sure it will be beautiful. The weather looks great this weekend.”
The line moves and we follow, the stranger standing a little closer than he had been when he walked in the shop.
“I’m Kyle,” he says, offering his hand as his gaze trails over my body, his interest clear when his eyes meet mine again.
“Adrian.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Adrian.”
“You too.”
“Next!”
Flustered, I clear my throat and give the barista my order, a medium hot coffee with cream and sugar.
“I’ll have a caramel latte,” Kyle says, stepping up beside me and handing her his card.
“Oh, you didn’t have to— I mean…”
