hunch, but I think we could get along really well. I’d like to get to know the girl I’ve seen glimpses of. And I also think you might like the guy you’ve seen glimpses of lately too.”
Sucking my lips into my mouth, I weigh the pros and cons before muttering, “What do you have in mind?”
“Cowboy sushi?”
“I don’t like fish—”
“That’s why I said cowboy sushi,” he clarifies with a boyish grin. “There’s a little place called Texas Roundup that serves it.”
“I’ve never heard of cowboy sushi. How did you know I don’t like fish?”
“A little restaurant I know serves cooked beef and chicken before matching it with certain veggies and wrapping them into rice rolls. Then they pair the sushi rolls”—he lifts his fingers to do air quotes—“with sauces like sriracha mayo or avocado lime ranch. That kind of thing.”
My stomach grumbles at the thought before I admit, “That actually sounds pretty good.”
“I think you’d like it. And like I said, not a single fish in sight. They don’t even serve seafood there.”
“I don’t date, though.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because….” My voice trails off as I scramble for an excuse.
Because…why?
Why the hell don’t I date?
Instead of responding, I simply shrug before recognizing how close we are to Forever Grey. My pace quickens. If I can just get there, then I can end this conversation and go home to take a shower. I’ll be able to clear my head and wash away the conflicting feelings that are starting to surface the longer I’m around someone I thought I knew but definitely don’t.
“I’m going to take that as a yes, you’ll grab cowboy sushi with me. How does tonight sound? Or maybe this weekend sometime?”
“I have plans this weekend.”
“And tonight?” he pushes.
“I…uh…I don’t know if I can do tonight, either. I’m sorry, Conner. Maybe some other time.” Rushing to Forever Grey, I open the door before he has a chance to interrogate me any further then drop off Bonnie without even bothering to say goodbye to Suzette as she grabs the leash from my hand.
I gotta get out of here.
Chapter Thirteen
Levi
“Dude. Charlie in those running shorts? Best sight I’ve seen in years. I shit you not.”
An image of my best friend in running shorts comes to mind, but instead of it being clouded with my usual best friend filter that I always try to keep in place, I see her as the woman she is.
Yeah. She’s fucking gorgeous.
“I’m glad you had a good time,” I reply, fighting the urge to be jealous. And failing. Bailing on Charlie sucked. I’ve been anxious all morning, riddled with guilt, and I missed my morning run with my best friend who looks phenomenal in exercise clothes. Yet, this asshat got to see her up close and personal. I grit my teeth and turn back to my paperwork.
“I did have a good time,” Conner replies. “Until she turned me down.”
Curiosity sparked, I peer up at him as he crowds my desk. “What do you mean?”
“This isn’t going to work if I can’t convince Charlie to even give me her number.”
“And how is that on me?” I ask, annoyed about the whole situation. I’m not exactly in the mood to hear Conner bitch and moan about his run-in with Charlie just because he couldn’t get her number.
Hell, the chase is half the fun, isn’t it?
“It’s on you because we have a deal,” Conner explains as if he’s talking to a toddler. “I need her to give me a real shot. And right now, that isn’t happening.”
“And what would you suggest I do?” I grit out, dropping my blue ballpoint pen onto my desk to give him my full attention. I can’t concentrate when he’s driveling on, anyway.
“Talk to her. Figure out why so I can change it. Or even better, just give me her number, so I don’t have to keep running into her at random places.”
Nostrils flaring, I release a deep breath and say, “Fine. I’ll talk to her. Now leave me alone so I can get some shit done.”
He flinches at my aggressive response before staring at me like I’m a damn alien.
“You’re pissy this morning,” he notes after a few tense seconds. “What’s up?”
The metallic tang of blood explodes in my mouth from biting my tongue so hard to keep from yelling at him.
You trying to screw my friend, asshole. That’s what’s up this morning.
“Nothing,” I mutter. “Just a long night and a shit ton of work to do.”
“I get it, man. But remember, if you