Chapter 18
TYRELL
I show up just before seven o’clock, the way my mama taught me to.
“Never be late, Tyrell. You respect other people’s time, you hear me?”
I always heard her. Mama made sure of it.
My lips twitch as I climb the stairs to the fourth floor, not even thinking to use the elevator until I’m on the second-to-last landing.
Shaking my head with a rueful grin, I make it to the top, surprised by the spray of nerves ricocheting inside my chest. This is the fourth double date Dani and I have been on. I shouldn’t be nervous at all.
Although, this is the first one I’ve picked her up for.
I don’t even know why we arranged it this way, but here I am, knocking on her door like she’s my date tonight.
I wish she was.
The thought jolts me, and I shake my head, instantly pushing it back.
No, I don’t.
I’m here to meet that friend of a friend, and she’s gonna be great and…
Well, to be honest, I’ve barely been paying any attention to these girls Dani has been finding for me.
I only said yes to take the pressure off her.
I didn’t want her feeling like she was under a spotlight.
This double-dating thing has been a casual, safer way of doing this “find her a man” plan, and I’m pretty sure it’s helped her relax.
So I’m gonna keep on doing it, but how can I possibly entertain any serious notions with the girls she’s introducing me to when I’ll be leaving soon?
No, this whole thing has to be about Dani and finding her the right guy.
I’m surprised by how hard it’s been, but none of them are quite right. She’s either not feeling it or they’re not feeling it. I haven’t seen bright, powerful sparks flying around yet. Not the way they did with Atlas.
“Hey.” Tobin answers the door, grinning up at me like I’m a lollipop he wants to lick.
I guess I should take it as a compliment, but his open hunger is a little disconcerting, especially because he has a boyfriend… who is also eyeing me up the exact same way.
“Hi, Jed.” I wave at him, and he shakes his head in these slow swipes back and forth.
“It’s a travesty you’re not gay.”
I clear my throat and give him an awkward smile. “Your boyfriend’s right there, man.”
“Oh, and he adores me.” Tobin pats his chest. “But we just think you’re a full-blown hottie, and if you were gay, well, maybe we’d ask you to join the team, you know?”
He winks at me, and my smile gets a little tighter and more superficial.
Each to their own, you know? I’m not judging. I just know for myself that I’m a one-girl-at-a-time kinda guy. And if I was gay, I’m pretty sure I’d only have eyes for my man.
But I don’t think I’ll ever be gay.
And that is made abundantly clear to me the second Dani walks into the open living area and I’m struck dumb by the sight of her.
This hot flush travels through my body, an electric pulse that shorts out my brain.
All I can do is stare at her for a second, drink her in, because damn…
She’s wearing a blue dress tonight, like the color of the sky on a clear day. The straps are thin over her shoulders, and holy shit, she’s not wearing a bra. Her luscious boobs are tucked inside the gathered fabric, and then it comes in at the waist before flaring out to her knees.
She’s barely wearing any makeup, as far as I can tell, but she doesn’t need it. This girl glows without even trying, and I’m—
“Ty, are you okay?” Dani frowns at me, obviously worried.
“Uh…” I blink and clear my throat. “Yeah. I’m… I… Good. I’m good.” I give her a thumbs-up, then internally cringe. A thumbs-up, really?
If she was my girl, I’d be dropping to my knees and telling her how damn sexy she looks. I’d be begging her not to go out, lifting her into my arms and taking her back into her bedroom so I could strip that dress off her body and—
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.” I bob my head, nodding like a maniac while I try to get my logical brain back online. “You look great,” I manage to squeeze out.
“Doesn’t she?” Tobin smiles at her, walking over to straighten the left shoulder strap.
“You look divine, Dani Girl. See, aren’t you glad I persuaded Vicky to change the venue?
If you’d just gone to that diner, you wouldn’t have had an excuse to put on a pretty dress.
Now you get to eat fancy food and look super sexy doing it. ”
She runs a hand down the skirt part, a nervous habit she’s had the whole time I’ve known her. “Yep. Thanks for that.”
I’m not sure how grateful she really is. I don’t care where we eat. Sure, I was looking forward to loaded fries and a shake, but fancy-ass food can be good too. And this Vicky chick’s uncle owns the restaurant or something, so the food will be affordable with the discount she’ll get.
“The shoes comfortable enough?” Jed asks, staring at her like he’s assessing a piece of art.
“Yeah, they’ll work.” Dani tips on the heels, then looks at me. “These belong to Nix and they’re a size too small, but I can always slip them off under the table, right?”
“No,” Tobin tells her at the exact same time I say, “Of course you can.”
She grins at me, then gives Tobin a pointed look.
“Oh, what does he know.” Tobin flicks his hand at me, then spins to eye me up and tut. “Okay, fine, so the man can dress himself. But promise me that if you slip those shoes off, you remember to put them back on and don’t walk out of the restaurant holding them.”
“I won’t, Dad.” She laughs, patting his arm.
Tobin rolls his eyes, then pulls her into a hug. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks for helping me pick out the dress.”
“Anytime. I love shopping with you. Wait until you visit me in New York. We’re gonna shop ’til we drop.”
Jed groans. “You’re gonna make me broke, baby.”
Tobin laughs. “Oh, you love me.”
Jed’s smile turns soft and mushy as he gazes at his boyfriend, and it’s clear to everyone that yes, he is very much in love.
I wonder what it must be like to feel that. Skimming my eyes over Dani once more, I get a hint and then have to give myself a sharp kick in the ass, because I shouldn’t be feeling anything but platonic friendship for this stunning, kind, interesting woman.
“Shall we go?” I rush out the words, suddenly desperate to get out of here and to the restaurant.
She can meet Rhys, who Peters assures me is the nicest guy and sounds like a really good match for Dani. Man, I hope so.
I think that while my insides surge with rebellion.
Clenching my jaw, I walk to the elevator, figuring Dani’s not gonna wanna use the stairs in those heels.
“You read my mind,” she murmurs, straightening her jacket. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” I smile down at her. “You really do look great.”
She snorts. “Yeah, I don’t know. As much as I love this dress, a big part of me would feel a million times more comfortable in my cargo pants and combat boots, you know?”
“Yeah, well, you’d look awesome in that getup too.” I laugh, then run my eyes down her body as the elevator doors ping open. “But, girl, that dress.”
“I know, right?” She laughs. “I’m not even wearing a bra.” She winces, resting a hand over her chest while my insides go nuts all over again. “Just promise me that if something slips out, you’ll let me know.”
Shit. The imagery in my head right now is threatening an immediate hard-on. I swallow and nod, croaking out, “Yeah, of course. I’ve got your back.”
And her front, apparently.
Fuck.
Letting her step ahead of me, I lightly rest my hand on her lower back before reminding myself that she’s not my date.
I quickly tuck my hand into my pocket and lean against the elevator wall, trying to create some distance between us.
Seriously, I should not be this attracted to a woman I’m trying to set up with someone else.
Shit, Atlas, I’m sorry. I wish you were here so you could see how damn hot she looks tonight. You’d be speechless, man.
Keeping my best friend in the forefront of my mind, I don’t touch Dani again as we walk out of her building. I do open the door for her, then help her make sure the skirt part of her dress doesn’t get caught when she slips into my SUV.
As I walk around to the driver’s side, I start up a quick mantra.
She’s not mine. She’s not mine. She’s not mine.
I desperately try to remind myself that we’re meeting up with other people tonight. People we’re supposed to be interested in. But when I glance at Dani one more time, I can’t help worrying that I’m gonna be losing the battle big-time.