Chapter 17 Knox #2
“Yeah, of course I know. It’s not even about the way he looks, which is so infuriating.
I keep trying not to like him, but… It’s like we can’t help flirting with each other.
And he’s adorable and it’s so goddamn frustrating because it’s not like he does it to manipulate me or try to get me in bed.
I mean, I’m sure part of him is. But what I mean is that he does all the same nice things he does for me for everyone around him and it’s just…
” She sighs, frustrated. “He’s the best.”
I smile, the knot in my stomach releasing, replaced by a sense of warmth and comfort.
Lottie.
Daniel snorts. “Yeah, he actually seems like an amazing guy. Not to mention the amount of sexual tension between you two was way more than I was comfortable with. You are my sister, after all.”
“That’s gross. Don’t ever say the words ‘sexual tension’ to me ever again, please.”
“You’re so stupid.” He snorts. “But seriously, I think you should just go on a damn date with the guy. Put him out of his misery. Maybe sleep with him, a little,” he snickers.
Yes. Date me. Date me, Lottie.
“I’ve already slept with him, remember?”
“You know what I mean.”
God, I knew Daniel was a cool guy. I should buy him a coffee or a cookie or something as a thank you. Though of course I wouldn’t be able to tell him why I’m thanking him, could I? “I don’t know.” She sighs. “It feels like playing with fire. I… I’m kind of terrified, Daniel.”
“If this is about Finn… I only spent about thirty minutes with Knox, but even in that limited time you can tell he’s not—”
Finn? The ex?
“No, it’s not that. I know he isn’t anything like Finn. There doesn’t seem to be a bad bone in his body. It’s just…” A groan from Lottie.
He gasps. “Oh, shit. You actually like him. It’s not just some crush. That’s why you won’t date the guy.”
I hold my breath, waiting for her answer.
“We’ll hook up and then, once everything is over with the sale, he’ll either go back home or… or want more. And you and I both know I can’t give him more. Not now, not ever. That’s what’s stopping me. Either way, I end up with a broken heart. So what’s the damn point of it all?”
So this is about her? Not me?
I want to bust through the office door, to start demanding some answers nearly overwhelms me. But I stop myself just in time because I know I’ll never come back from that if I do.
“I get what you’re saying, Lottie. But I also think you’re getting ahead of yourself.
To be honest, you don’t know whether he’d want more.
And despite his young age,” they laugh softly, “he’s a big boy who can make his own decisions.
It looks like he’s willing to enter into something despite not living here.
So I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, sis. ”
“I don’t know…”
“Just have fun. Enjoy life while you have a gorgeous twenty-something year old man who looks more like a tatted-up Greek God than anything else who’s interested in you.”
She laughs once, followed by a sniffle. “What?”
“It’s just nice. Seeing you like this over a guy again. Especially over one who looks like he would worship at your feet.” She snorts, but I’m pretty sure I’m close to doing so, if we’re being honest. “Seriously. I just hope you don’t ruin this by letting your baggage get in the way.”
“My baggage won’t get in the way, because there’s nothing to get in the way of. I told you. The plan is simple: renovate this store, sell it, and get the hell out of Dodge.”
He sighs deeply, and I can hear the chair creak as he sits back in it, exasperated.
“Let’s change the subject,” she says. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”
Shit. Is that it? I’m not getting anything else? What am I supposed to do with that information? Besides the part about her thinking she’s the problem, I didn’t overhear anything I didn't already know.
Frustrated, I decide this is my cue to make myself known. I quietly back up down the hallway before turning back toward the office, stomping loud enough for them to hear me. “Shh! I think he’s coming,” she whispers to him.
“Hey, you guys are still here,” I say innocently enough as I step into the office.
“Yeah, we were just wrapping up. How was your shower?” she asks. Lottie winces. “Shit, that was really weird of me to ask. Sorry.”
I laugh softly, because I've never seen anything more adorable than a mortified Lottie.
“It’s fine. And good. It may have been the best I have ever taken in my life.”
“That’s probably due to the fact that you must've washed away a thick layer of wood chips, dust, and sweat.” A wide smile spreads across her face, the sight of it bringing one to my own.
“Ew, Lottie. No.” Daniel gives her a look.
“No, she’s right.” I laugh. “Maybe that’s what made it amazing.” I wink at her, and she immediately stops laughing. Lottie clears her throat, cheeks flushing, and looks to her brother, quietly asking for help.
“Er, so, Knox. You have any plans tonight?”
“No,” I say, looking between Daniel and Lottie. “What about you guys?”
“Well, I have a date with my husband and my two girls at the movie theater a couple of towns over.” He gets up from his seat and gathers up all the documents, slipping them into his briefcase. “I am in for a wild night of Paw Patrol.”
“Exciting.” I grin at him. “What about you, Lottie?”
I wait anxiously for her reply, the three seconds it takes for her to do so feeling more like hours. Is this my in? Is this how I get her to say yes to me? If I ask her to go on a date with me tonight, right now, will she say yes?
“I-I'm actually having dinner with the girls,” she says a bit nervously.
Daniel’s face falls. “Oh, right. I forgot tonight was your—”
“My girls’ night out,” she cuts him off, an urgent look in her eyes. She shoots her brother a glare before gazing back at me. “It’s just a regular girls night out with my sister, Jenn, and a couple more people. Nothing super special.” She fidgets in her seat.
“Right…” I stop myself from pushing, from asking what she’s hiding, because I know it will only make things worse.
“Well, I think it’s great you’re getting out.
You’ve been working really hard. Hope you enjoy yourself tonight.
” But the disappointment is clear my voice, no matter how hard I try to sound happy for her.
For some reason I thought today would be the day I'd convince her to take a chance on me.
For some reason, after hearing her conversation with her brother, I thought she'd want to try.
I have to remind myself that I have a history of people not really wanting to be invested in me, so I shouldn’t be surprised.