8. Hormonal Teen
CHAPTER 8
HORMONAL TEEN
I t had been a few days since the alpaca store opening, and Addison couldn’t stop thinking about Tim. That night had been a blast, but part of her had secretly hoped it would turn more romantic. Still, the connection between them felt stronger and she couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more.
Tim had asked her to dinner that night and Addison had quickly accepted, her body warming in anticipation of seeing him again. Now, with thirty minutes until his arrival, her excitement was building.
They had been texting almost constantly. Addison wished she could analyze his every word with, but involving Lexi was impossible. It’s killing me that I can’t talk to Lexi. She’d have a dramatic reaction if she knew I had feelings for Tim. There’s no way I can tell her I’m lusting after him. It’d be a disaster.
“And you’ve been no help at all,” she scolded Prickles, who cracked open an eye before going back to his nap.
“I’m making myself crazy!” Addison wailed to the empty condo, throwing herself onto her sofa like a hormonal teen. She scrolled through her messages with Tim, searching for clues, but he was always a gentleman. Just a friend.
But Addison knew she was getting ahead of herself. For all she knew, Tim’s thoughts hadn’t drifted beyond friendship, and the idea that he still thought about going home with her seemed unlikely now. She couldn’t just ask him. How embarrassing. He probably didn’t even remember that moment from Jake and Laura’s party months ago.
Tim had been on his A-game that night, confidently chatting with everyone who had walked through the doors. His natural likability had given each interaction weight. He had genuinely seemed to care about the people he spoke to. Addison admired that about him.
When she was with Jake, his magnetism had always felt overwhelming, like she was being pulled into his orbit. But Tim had a softer, more approachable presence. He made everyone around him feel comfortable—her especially. When they talked, he gave her his full attention like nothing else mattered in the world. He makes me feel important.
Addison pouted for a little longer before Tim knocked. She straightened her outfit and smoothed her hair, then answered the door. When she opened it, there was Tim, looking like he’d stepped out of a J. Crew catalog, holding a bouquet of roses.
Addison’s breath caught in her throat. Sexy. Flowers. Wow. Apparently, Tim rendered her brain capable of only caveman speech now.
“Hi,” she said quietly, worried that saying more result in something embarrassing.
“Hey, there,” Tim said cheerfully. “I hope the roses aren’t overkill, but I wanted to bring you something special.”
“Roses are never overkill,” she responded. Unless they’re from a guy you don’t want to pull into your bedroom. “Thank you. They’re absolutely gorgeous.” And they were. Tim hadn’t brought her some grocery store flowers, these were from the classy florist down the block with the fancy wrapping.
Tim followed her inside, nervously scratching the back of his head. “So, I hope I’m not reading things the wrong way, but I think we have something going here. Like, more than friendship.”
Addison froze at the sink, the water overflowing in her vase. She turned off the facet and stayed with her back to Tim, trying to compose herself. Did he really say that?
“Well, now I’m thinking I did read into everything with us,” he continued. “And don’t worry—it’s totally cool if you want to be just friends. It’s not like I’m going to disappear because I’m disappointed.”
“No!” Addison shouted, making Tim jump. “Whoa, sorry, what I meant was that you read things correctly. I, uh, haven’t stopped thinking about you since we reconnected six months ago.” Way to maintain the mystery.
“Addie, I’ve wanted to ask you out for real for a while now. We used to be so close way back in the day, and I felt like our connection was just as good once we started hanging out again.”
Addison gave Tim a puzzled look. “Then why did you back off so much after Jake and Laura’s celebration at the bar?”
“I thought I’d made my intentions clear that night, but you didn’t seem interested. I figured it was best to pretend it never happened and go back to being texting pals instead.”
So I didn’t imagine that moment.
“I’ve wanted to be way more than friends since then,” she assured him. “I thought you were drunk and caught up in the moment that night.”
“Eh, a little, but everything I said to you—and implied—was true. I wish I’d picked up on your signals so we didn’t waste all this time. I’ve been thinking about you every day. Going out as friends has been torture.”
Addison looked down shyly. “Me too.”
“Then, hypothetically, if I were to kiss you now, you wouldn’t tell me off?” Tim asked, hopeful.
“I probably would if you didn’t,” Addison said confidently.
Tim cupped her face and gazed into her eyes. The anticipation was incredible and horrible at the same time. His brown eyes were so kind and caring, and Addison could tell that this moment was as significant to him as it was to her. With a small smile, Tim leaned in and kissed her. His lips were soft at first, but their kiss quickly intensified.
When they pulled apart, they were both dazed. Wow. That’s the best kiss I’ve ever had.
“I, for one, can’t wait to do that again,” Tim said with a smile like he’d gotten away with something.
“Yeah,” Addison breathed. At least one of us can form full sentences.
“What do you say we go eat?” Tim asked, partially breaking the spell.
At the restaurant, Addison and Tim couldn’t keep their hands off each other. They sat close together in the booth, and he held her hand whenever he could. We’re that couple sitting on the same side of the booth. I get it now. I shouldn’t have rolled my eyes at all those other blissful couples before.
Addison noticed a dark, curly head of hair near the host stand and stiffened. Is that Lexi? She jumped away from Tim self-consciously, her excitement turning to paranoia almost immediately.
“What was that?” Tim asked, looking a little hurt.
“I thought I saw Lexi up front.” How would I explain being all over her ex if that had been her? What if Jake came in? He’d be shocked.
“Oh, okay?” Tim responded, confused.
“We can’t tell Jake or Lexi,” she said adamantly.
“Why not?” Tim asked, his forehead wrinkling in confusion.
“Seriously? Can you imagine?” Tim didn’t seem to be worried at all about their exes seeing them together. That perplexed Addison.
“Yeah, I can. It would surprise them, but why would they care? We haven’t been with either of them in years. They’re our best friends. They’d want us to be happy.” Tim looked even more perplexed. “Is…is this not what you want? Did I move too quickly?”
Are you kidding?
“Of course I want this. I’m just thinking practically,” Addison said.
“Addie, I’d risk everything I care about to be close to you. This isn’t a game to me. Is it you?”
“No, definitely not. But we have ties to people who could be hurt.”
“Can we agree to disagree on that point for now and enjoy our night?” Tim said sensibly.
“We can do that,” she said softly, stroking his hand with her thumb. It’s not like anyone is here to report on us being on a date.
Addison let herself relax. Tim was so charming.
She had two opposing sides debating in her mind and she sat there with this kind, gorgeous man. Lexi might freak out. She might even end our friendship. No, that’s ridiculous. We’ve been friends for too long for her to care. But, how would I feel if Lexi wanted to date Jake? I freaked when Laura, who isn’t even my best friend, got with him.
Addison’s mental courtroom battle would have to wait until later. When they arrived back at her condo door after dinner, the first awkward silence of their relationship— platonic or otherwise — settled between them. Her mind was in overdrive with thoughts of Tim, and she didn’t have the energy to fight her desire to know what he was thinking—or what he wanted.
Should I invite him in? Would that make me look bad? Tim looked like he was having a similar mental battle.
“Hey,” she whispered close to his ear. “Why couldn’t the pasta get into his apartment?”
Tim’s eyes were closed, and he had a dreamy look on his face. “Huh? Oh. Why?”
“Gnocchis.”
Addison pulled Tim inside the condo, and his face went from surprise to desire in the blink of an eye. Their kisses intensified as they pulled at each other’s clothes, heading toward her bedroom.
“Are you sure?” Tim asked. “This is a big move after being so worried at dinner.”
“I’m absolutely sure,” Addison said. We’ll deal with other people later.