lips curl up into a small grin, “I don’t want to talk about scars tonight, Addison.”
She swallows. “What do you want to talk about?”
Nothing. I want to taste her so unbelievable bad. I want to taste every damn inch of her. But patience is a virtue, and I’m an extremely virtuous person. “I want to have a piece of your cake.”
Her entire body relaxes, her shoulders fall limp, her lips close and her eyes soften. “I’ll get a knife.” She’s clearly relieved I didn’t bend down and claim those lips, and I have to wonder why a woman who is obviously attracted to me, would be so tentative.
Backing away from her, I do the dishes, making sure the water is as cold as it will go. She hands me a plate with a mound of what looks like a mixture of bread and frosting with some yellow food coloring sprinkled around and we make our way to the sofa. Forcing a smile, I take a small bite. It tastes better than it looks, but she should definitely keep her day job.
“How is Reed your business partner?”
Ever since my dad left me a considerable trust fund, I’ve never had to work. But I’m also not one to sit around and live off someone else’s money. Once I accepted I was never going to play soccer again, figuring out my life’s journey, took more strength than I like to admit, but with Reed’s help, I’m finally there.
“We create workout programs for people.”
“Like a personal trainer?”
I shake my head. “More along the lines of mass production.”
She looks confused and I blank stare her back.
“I need more. I’m not following.”
“Extreme Mindlessness?” I ask it as a question. Most people have heard of my company before, but placing a face with the name is a completely different animal.
Recognition flares in her green eyes. “The workout video?”
“You’ve heard of it?”
She shrugs. “Yeah, a few people in my office have tried it out. That’s not you. I’ve heard the owner made millions on those videos.”
I stay completely silent and let her figure it out on her own.
“Seriously? Why the hell are you living here?”
“I like it here. My friends are here and it’s a beautiful place to live.”
She gives me a duh expression. “I meant in this apartment building.”
“What’s wrong with this apartment building?”
She leans back and studies me. “You’re weird.”
I give her my best grin. “Isn’t everyone a little weird?”
“Yes, but you’re like really weird. I’m not sure I can hang out with you anymore.”
“What?” I ask, affronted. “Come on. I make cheesy workout videos that people love, how is that weird?”
“That’s not weird, but you’re secretive . . . in a weird way.”
I stare at her. She’s right, but I’m not sure I can change that. “I’m on a need to know basis type of person.”
Her jaw tenses, her eyes point directly on mine. “Tell me this, do you have a girlfriend?”
Yes, she probably needs to know the answer to that. “Not yet.”
“See! That’s a weird answer. Most normal people would either say yes or no. You give me something in between.”
I shrug. “I’m working on it.”
“Working on not being weird or working on getting a girlfriend?”
“Both.”
She huffs frustrated but resolved.
“What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?”
Her eyes shoot up to mine, a sadness that I want to make disappear filling them. She shakes her head and I decide not to push the issue, obviously this is a tough topic for her and I’m relieved I didn’t kiss her earlier. She’s not ready for me yet.
“Can I see one of your videos?”
I stand up and pull her with me. “Channel five, tonight at three am. But right now, I need to say goodnight. I have to get up early tomorrow to go to the track, and at this rate, I’ll never make it.”
Her face falls and I get a slight rush that she’s disappointed I’m kicking her out. But I’m not comfortable with all her questions. I don’t believe in revisiting the past, only moving forward, making the best out of the life you’re given.
She takes the red pillow—finally agreeing that red is a fantastic color. With a promise to place it in the center of her couch, I watch her leave. Part of me is glad she takes it—the other part knows I need to go out and buy my own red pillow. Most lips are pink, but hers are red and it’s become my new favorite color.