Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,318

I told him you were busy. Have you spoken to him since he left your place?”

“No.”

“Well, you need to.” She’s right.

“I don’t want to come across as some sort of stage-five clinger.”

“Well, he came here to see you, so there’s no excuse now.” She shrugs, spins around, and files away the last of the paperwork. “I’m heading off. I’ll see you tomorrow. Message him, Dylan.” She’s out the door in minutes, and I’m left in silence.

Heading to my office, I grab my cell and type out a quick text.

Dylan: Hey, sorry I missed you today. It was chaotic here.

My finger hovers over the send button. Just do it. He’s already made the first move.

I hit send and begin packing up my things.

Out on the street, I hail a cab and head back to my apartment with the plan of doing absolutely nothing tonight. Food, Netflix, and a heap of ice cream…that sounds like my ideal evening.

As I climb from the cab, my cell pings, alerting me to a message. Pulling it from my bag, the grin that spreads across my face is illuminating, especially when I see it’s from Cole.

Cole: I probably should have just sent a message instead of showing up. It’s your work. I was wondering if you’d made a decision about your reunion. I’d be happy to take you. Your rent-a-boyfriend is ready and willing to help out. LOL

I laugh as I make my way up to my floor. Unlocking my door, I step in and drop my bag and keys at the door and reply.

Dylan: Hey, at least I now know I’m not just some one-night stand. Haha. Or am I a one-week stand? As for my reunion, yes, I’ve decided to go, but of course, you don’t have to come. Vivian, my friend, said she would come with me.

Cole: A one-week stand? Never heard of it. I like you, Dylan, and I’d really like to take you.

My cheeks hurt from the grin that’s plastered across my face.

He likes me.

I feel like a schoolgirl who’s just been told her crush likes her. Damn, that’s going back a heap of years now. Luke was that person, and when someone told me he was interested in me, I literally fell off the chair I’d been sitting on.

It wasn’t possible.

I wasn’t the dating type of girl.

Well, I didn’t think so.

Every girl wanted to date him, yet he chose the quiet girl who had her nose in books instead of caring about what was the latest lip-gloss color everyone was wearing. I should have known it was too good to be true.

Dylan: I like you, too. I’ll send you the details on Friday. You can pick me up, but not on a bike. A car is preferable.

Cole: I can do that…for you.

Dylan: Thank you. So, how was your day?

Cole: The usual. When can I see you again?

He wants to see me again before Friday?

Dylan: I’ll see you on Friday.

I chew my lip as I wait and see what he says.

Cole: I want to see you before then. Tonight maybe?

Before I can reply, there’s a knock at my door, and I jump at the sound. I place my cell on the table near the door and pull it open. My mouth drops. Cole’s standing there in his familiar black leather jacket, black shirt, and dark-blue jeans. If this is all this man has in his closet, I can totally get on board. The way his shirt hugs his muscles causes a stir deep in my stomach.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, completely taken aback by his sudden appearance at my door.

He shrugs and grins.

I melt.

“I was in the neighborhood and wanted to stop in and see my rent-a-girlfriend. Plus, I brought food.” He holds up a white plastic bag. “Should I stand out here and eat while you stand in there?”

“Oh, sorry. Come on in. How did you know when I’d be home?” I move aside, and he strolls past me. His familiar woodsy scent tickles my senses, and instantly, my stomach clenches at the possibility of what’s to come tonight.

“I took a guess. I figure you seem like a woman who likes to finish on time. So, I thought maybe five or sixish, and so I went for in-between. I guess I was right. When did you get home?”

I follow behind him as he speaks and reply, “Not long ago, maybe five or ten minutes. I was standing here messaging you, then you were at my door.”

Cole places the