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.
“Would you rather eat fish food