Chapter 12
Paige
D inner with Graham has me rethinking every male interaction I have ever had. We talk and laugh like two people who have known each other for years.
It is almost intimate in a way I have never experienced. I paid the check despite Graham’s protest. I don’t mind. Something tells me it has been a while since someone has taken him out.
“Interested in a coffee? My treat?” Graham asks as we stand across from each other in the parking lot. We have been here three hours, and it feels like only twenty minutes. I play with my keys in my hand, trying not to linger on the thought that this feels like a date.
“I love coffee. So, we can get some coffee,” I flirtily say.
Somehow, that smile that seems to be plastered across his face deepens before he nods toward the coffee shop on the corner. He offers his arm to me, and I don’t hesitate to take it.
“Wait a minute, I just realized something,” I say, stopping us and turning myself towards Graham a tad more dramatic than probably necessary.
“Why didn’t you ask Bre or Chris for my number earlier?”
He laughs softly, shaking his head.
“I wanted you to give me your number. I wanted it to be your choice, not just because of Chris and Bre.”
My eyes linger on Graham’s lips. My racing mind rationalizing that Seth and I haven’t done anything except flirt. Yes, we are sexually attracted to each other, but we don’t spark like this.
I push up onto my tiptoes and place a soft kiss on Graham’s cheek. Impressed with myself, I don’t leave any lipstick behind. When I pull away, I stop when his eyes meet mine, and everything around us almost disappears. I force myself to relax back on my heels.
“You will never just be Chris’s friend to me. I can tell already, and you’ll believe me one day.”
I interlace my fingers with his. And just as I expect, those fit together perfectly, too.
As we turn back toward the coffee shop, walking hand in hand, part of me swore in the calm silence, I hear Graham say, “I already believe you.”
When I get back to my apartment, it was after one a.m. Chris has been up late playing video games on the couch and pauses when he sees me enter the room. I stop humming, smiling widely at him, and walk into the kitchen to grab water.
“Late night?”
“Something like that,” I say, taking off my heels and plopping on the couch beside him.
I open my water and take a sip.
“I think I like both of your friends.”
I look up at him for some sort of guidance, and he just lets out a laugh.
“I know both of my friends like you,” he says, offering a sympathetic grin.
Then he looks down at my dress.
“Graham saw you looking like that?” Chris’s eyebrows rise.
“Yup,” I say sadly, resting my head on his shoulder.
Chris leans into the contact.
“Just give him time. And be careful when it comes to Seth. He tends to break everything he touches.”
I can’t help but smile because he sounds like an overly concerned brother, and I always wanted one of those.
“I like you.”
“I know,” he teases, so I elbow him in the stomach.
He immediately fakes that he is in pain, and I laugh at how absurd he looks.
“You are such a child,” I scoff before pushing off the couch and heading toward my room.
“Paige. Neither deserves you.”
Chris seems serious as I open my bedroom door. I turn and smile softly towards him before closing my door behind me.