Page 19 of The Better Choice

“But,” she held up a hand, “even more than that, I can’t feel like I’ve forced you.”

“So, what are you saying?” he asked, scratching the back of his neck.

“I…I just need time, Asher. I need space to figure everything out. I do like you. I do want to see you again, but I need—”

He grabbed her hands, kissing her fingers softly. “So, will you see me tomorrow?”

“I work,” she told him, picking at a piece of skin around her fingernail.

“Oh,” he said sadly. “Okay.

“But, I’m off the next day,” she offered. “I could meet you for lunch.”

“Lunch would be great,” he said, his expression filled with joy. He looked like a puppy dog that had been handed a bone, and she couldn’t help being flattered by his persistence.

“Okay.”

He leaned forward, his lips brushing hers with a light kiss. “I’m going to make this up to you, Blythe.”

She smiled, letting go of his hand and grabbing the door handle with blushing cheeks. “Just text me the details.”

Chapter Ten

After work that night, feeling more exhilarating than exhausted, Blythe made her way across town in a hurry. Though she still had Asher’s words flowing through her mind, the promise of returning to Finn’s place hadn’t left her thoughts since she’d walked out of his building that morning. She couldn’t understand why she was so excited to see him, but she was. There was no denying the effect he had on her; though Asher had a similar one. She’d thought she’d given up one option to be able to take another, but Asher had changed his mind. Where exactly did that leave her?

She couldn’t stand the idea of choosing either one of them—if Finn was even an option in the first place. He hadn’t said for sure. In fact, he’d told her specifically not to read too much into it. But that kiss hadn’t been nothing. His touch had sent lightning to her toes…surely he’d felt it, too? She needed to see where Finn stood before she could make a decision. She needed to know if he was even putting himself in the running.

As she approached his building, taking the steps two at a time, she landed on his floor with excitement ready to explode in her chest. She knocked twice, surprised when he answered almost immediately.

He’d showered, his hair still slightly wet and the apartment smelling of soap. He was dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, not too dressed up but not entirely casual. “Hey,” he said, his voice raised slightly. He’d been waiting for her. Pacing by the door, maybe, if his speed in answering it were any indication. She stepped inside the apartment.

“Hi,” she told him, staring at him awkwardly. Should she go in for a hug? Another kiss? It felt strange to do nothing. Luckily, he eased her worries by shutting the door and running a hand through his hair.

“How was…um, how was work?”

“Work was okay,” she said, setting down her purse.

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to stay in or go out.”

She looked at her clothes, a white blouse with black vest and black pants. “We can go out,” she said, “but let me just change out of my work clothes.”

“Sure,” he told her, stepping out of her way so that she could disappear down the hallway. He noticed something still slung over one shoulder he hadn’t seen when she arrived.

She pulled the simple black sundress from her bag, sliding it over her shoulders and pulling her hair down from her bun. Her wavy hair fell down her back, still imprinted from the updo she’d sported all day. She reached in her bag and pulled out a hairbrush, running it through her locks in an attempt to tame them. When she’d managed to force them into looking somewhat decent, she put on an extra coat of Chapstick, deodorant, and mascara. She wasn’t date-ready by any means, but it would do.

“Do you even have clothes?” he asked, shocking her as his voice came from the opposite side of the closed door.

“I stopped before work to pick up some things,” she told him. “I wasn’t sure if I’d be staying, but I packed for it just in case.”

He was silent for a moment, and she worried if she’d assumed wrong. “You can stay for as long as you need to, Blythe,” he said eventually. “I’ve told you that before.”

She opened the bedroom door, staring at him. “Thank you.”

He nodded, stepping back as his eyes trailed down her body to where the hem of her dress met her tanned legs. “Did, uh,” he looked back up to meet her eyes, “I’m assuming you never heard from the guy?”

She cleared her throat. “I did, actually.”

“You did?” he asked. His tone wasn’t shocked or angry, which left her unsure how to feel. “How did it go?”

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