Chapter 14 #2
Maybe it bothered him a little. A grin played across my lips. It bothered him because he had feelings for me. “I’d rather it were you, but we’ll enjoy ourselves tomorrow.”
“Yes, looking forward to it. See you soon.”
“See you. Bye.” I ended the call and held the phone against my chest. Now I could have dinner with Ian without a guilty conscience. I could also gauge whether the feelings I’d had for Ian were finally gone.
I was meeting Ian at Olive and Ivy again.
With the cooler temperatures, I’d secured a table on the patio.
I strolled along the sidewalk, still in my dress shirt and slacks, but I’d changed out the suit jacket for a cardigan I’d tied around my shoulders.
I could wear it later as the weather cooled.
Early October brought daytime heat, followed by cool evenings.
As I approached the doors to the restaurant, my gaze caught on Ian, stepping toward me in a fashionable gray fleece and black jeans.
“Hey, Julian.” He beamed at me. “It’s been too long.
” Grabbing my hands, he kissed my cheek.
“I’m glad we could get together tonight.
Your schedule will be full with the season starting, right? ”
“It will.” I slipped my hands free from his and followed him into the open doors of the restaurant. I checked myself. No fluttering heart. No fast pulse. Nothing. I glanced at his ass, hugged by his jeans. No flash of desire. Had I lost my annoying feelings for him at last?
I gave the hostess my reservation information, and she guided us through the tables and onto the patio, where strings of bulbed lights hung overhead and tall plants rose from square planters between the faux wicker tables and chairs.
After sitting in our chairs, the hostess handed us our menus and left.
“So, what have you been doing?” Ian held his menu halfway up his face, only showing his eyes.
“Traveling with the team and learning everything possible about hockey. What else?” I offered a quiet chuckle. With the burden of my leftover feelings gone, it felt easier with him. “How’s Jonathan?”
“Oh, he’s fine, but it didn’t work out with him. We’re still friends, but our emotional connection fizzled out.” He set his menu on the table and unrolled his silverware from the linen napkin. “How about you? Any prospects at the Velvet Spur?”
Fizzled out? Hadn’t that basically been what he’d said when he’d ended our relationship? Eyeing him, I said, “I haven’t been there since before I started my job.” I set my menu down. I’d have the sea scallops with polenta tonight.
“Oh, really? That’s got to be a record.” He leaned back as the server took our drink order, both of us requesting glasses of wine. “So, tell me, are you back on the hookup apps?”
With a shake of my head, I said, “No.” I fingered the handle of my fork.
“No? Are you kidding me? The great Julian Mercer has turned celibate?” He snickered and sipped his water.
Of course, he would find this odd. I’d been such a playboy before Alex. But its purpose had been to forget Ian. “Maybe I’ve changed my ways. I’m serious about my work and haven’t had time for hookups.” As the server set our wine on the table, I snatched mine and drank it.
We gave the server our food orders, with Ian choosing the salmon with roasted beets and potatoes.
He peered at me. “I have to say, I find it hard to believe. What changed?”
With a shrug, I said, “I…just wanted to dive headfirst into hockey. What can I say?” Plus, I had a man I was falling in love with. With my most charming grin, I sipped my wine. “I wasn’t always into hookups. If you remember correctly, while we were together, I committed myself to you.”
“That you were.” He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing further. “I must admit, when we broke it off, I was worried about you. It was such a change in your demeanor.”
“It was a phase, and I’m over it.” I was sorry that the topic came up. I should change the discussion. “If Jonathan is gone, do you have your sights set on someone else?” I glanced toward the waterfront, the setting sun glistening in the water’s ripples inside the canal.
“No, but…” His brows drew together. “Actually, Jonathan noticed something between us that day at the charity.” He leaned closer, his gaze fixing on mine. “He always said I spoke about you a lot and…” The corner of his lips twitched. “Well, I’ve done some thinking.”
“And?” Where was he going with this? I drank my wine.
“We get along well. Always have.” He ran his finger along the edge of his appetizer plate. “Maybe I made a mistake back in college.” He hooked a brow. “I was young and stupid and searching for something exciting.”
I wasn’t exciting? As I stared at him, my mouth dropped open. He wasn’t doing this now. He couldn’t be.
The server set our food down and left.
My gaze dropped to my food. Fucking hell, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear this. “Okay, so staying friends has worked out for us.” With a choked laugh, I said, “I mean, we grew up together and we’ve known each other for a long time.” I picked up my fork and held it next to my plate.
“See, that’s just it.” Reaching across the table, he covered my hand with his. “Julian, don’t you see? Best friends can make for amazing relationships. What if—”
“No, Ian.” I tore my hand from under his. I didn’t want to hear the words come out of his mouth. “We had our time.” I met his gaze as it darted across my face.
“But…” His brow wrinkled. “We could give it a shot. What would it hurt? Neither of us is seeing anyone, and you’ve stopped hooking up with any guy with a heartbeat. You’ve clearly grown up a lot over the last few months.”
My pulse thundered in my temples. If he’d confessed this even three months ago, I would have seized a second chance with him. But now? I had Alex, and he was everything I’d been missing in my life. “I can’t, uh, Ian.”
“Why? We could take it slowly. I’m not asking for sex right away.
We might go on dates, hold hands, and maybe cuddle at your place while watching movies.
You always liked those things.” He worried his lower lip.
“Just think about it, okay?” With a quick grin, he cut into his salmon with his fork.
“Hell, I probably should have eased you into the idea. I’m sure you’re shocked. ”
Shocked was an understatement. “Yeah, I’m shocked.
” With a curt nod, I scooped polenta with my fork.
How could I get out of this? He’d always gotten pushy when I didn’t agree to his plans.
And then I’d always caved and gone along with them.
Cam’s voice rang in my head—he never allowed you to do the things you loved. But maybe he’d changed as much as me?
“I see I’ve made you tongue-tied.” With a sharp laugh, he popped a roasted fingerling potato into his mouth. “I’ll give you a few days to think about my proposal. I’m sure you’ll come around.”