4. MORE THAN A MOMENT
MORE THAN A MOMENT
It’s Friday, and Kenneth still hasn’t contacted me.
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve been waiting by my phone all week, and that literally every text and phone call I receive makes my stomach flutter with excitement.
Except it’s never him, and all I feel after is disappointment.
But that’s just the story of my life, isn’t it?
I can’t get the guy I want when I finally decide I’m looking for something serious.
What kind of joke is the universe trying to play on me? It’s not funny at all.
Maybe getting that picture of him hung up on my living room wall was a mistake.
I’ve had to see it every time I come into my penthouse, and it just makes me sadder by the day because I still haven’t heard from him.
What if I never see him again? What if he never contacts me?
Or—even worse—what if I never stop dreaming of him?
Oh, fuck. That would be absolutely miserable.
Either way, I’ve decided to drown my sorrows in liquor tonight, and though I’m craving sex, I don’t want another mediocre encounter.
I’m meeting Emerson and our coworkers at the bar, and as I get closer to it, I see them huddled outside in a group, talking loudly and joking as usual.
It’s mostly Emerson; he’s usually the life of the party, whereas I’m more introverted.
How we became best friends is beyond me.
I’m grateful for it, though. I’d be lost without him, that’s for damn sure.
My days would be lonely, and I wouldn’t have anyone to hang out with.
I think everyone just took pity on me and is friends with me by default.
I definitely wouldn’t hang out with them if he weren’t present. It would be awkward.
I finally reach them, coming to Emerson’s side and clasping his shoulder as I greet the rest of the group.
Everyone gives me a warm smile and continues with their conversation, and Em turns to me and smiles too, asking me how I’m doing.
I tell him I’m okay, though tired, which isn’t a lie.
I’ve worked my ass off this week. I’m ready to sit down and have a few drinks, then take my ass straight to bed.
The guys finally decide to move the gathering inside, and we sit at one of the tables in the very back.
There are eight of us, so we don’t fit at the bar because of how crowded it is here.
Emerson asks for my order, and I tell him a dirty martini, which he snorts at.
So I like martinis, sue me. I just grin at him and shake my head, but he comes back with my drink before long, setting a Long Island Iced Tea next to me that I’m assuming is his.
The guys are rowdy tonight, talking about work, then the hockey playoffs and the game coming up tomorrow night, and also about who’s going to get laid tonight. I smile and nod at the right times, sipping on my drink, but my heart isn’t in it. I want to leave, if I’m being honest.
Emerson’s hand suddenly comes to my thigh and squeezes tightly, jolting me. I turn my face to look at him, and his eyes are wide, a grin on his face. I tilt my head to the side in question, and he flicks his eyes toward a corner, though I don’t follow his gaze. He huffs, then leans in.
“Right across from us, dumbass.” Em says excitedly, “Your boy is here.”
“What?” I ask, voice high-pitched, looking that way. Just to make eye contact. He’s already staring at me with a contemplative look in his eyes, and he smirks when my own widen. “Holy fuck,” I whisper.
Emerson leans into me, his lips close to my ear, and Kenneth’s eyes narrow and his lips purse as if he’s tasted something gross. I look away from him.
“If this isn’t fate, I don’t know what is,” Emerson says against my ear. “I knew it was gonna happen for you.”
“Doubt it,” I huff. “He still hasn’t texted or called.”
“So go make it happen.” He squeezes my leg again. “He’s still staring at you like you’re his next meal. I think he wants you.”
“Quit getting my hopes up,” I growl. “He’s clearly not interested.”
“Go talk to him.”
“No fucking way,” I reply, shaking my head vehemently. “I’m not doing that.”
“Don’t be such a pussy.” I look at Em just in time to see him rolling his eyes at me, and a smirk touches his lips. “He has to know who you are. Hasn’t stopped staring at you since I got closer.”
“Yeah, maybe he thinks I can’t keep it in my pants,” I growl. “You’re cockblocking me.”
Emerson throws his head back and laughs loudly, and my eyes connect with Kenneth’s once more. He looks away quickly, cheeks turning red as if I just caught him doing something he shouldn’t be doing.
“Oh, trust me, I don’t think that’s what’s going on here.”
I narrow my eyes at Emerson. “And what exactly is going on?”
“He wants you to go talk to him,” he says point-blank. “So get your ass up and go, or I’m going to do it myself.”
“You wouldn’t do me like that.”
“Wanna bet?” Em smirks. “He’s very pretty.”
“Back off, dick,” I growl, and he laughs loudly again. “Fine, fine. I’ll go.”
“I’m coming.” He grins.
“No fucking way,” I reply, getting up, but Emerson is already following quickly, making my escape futile. “Fuck,” I mutter.
I stop a foot or so away from his table, just to notice he’s there with a woman.
What if I read this all wrong? Oh, fuck.
What if he’s on a date? She’s very pretty, too.
Well, that’s an understatement. I may have read this all wrong.
So I take a step back, just to be shoved forward by Emerson’s hand on my lower back.
He’s not letting me off the hook with this one.
I’m now right in front of their table, my cheeks heating when the woman looks up at me with a wide smile. Kenneth’s eyes look me up from my shoes to my face, and his eyes sparkle. I’m in trouble. I can tell. He’s amused by me. I’ve probably made a fool of myself—
“Can I help you?” Kenneth asks with a smirk.
“I—” I clear my throat. “You haven’t called or texted.”
I almost slap myself, flabbergasted that I’m being so forward right now.
I can’t believe that just came out of my mouth.
It seems to amuse him, though, because there’s now a playful glint in his eye and his lips tilt up on the right side, making a small dimple appear right by his mouth. He’s so damn pretty.
“Maybe I don’t want to.” He shrugs. “Did you think of that?”
Emerson chuckles from my side and leans in, whispering, “He’s playing hard to get.”
Kenneth’s eyes look from me to Emerson, then back. And he raises an eyebrow. I shove Emerson and mutter a quick fuck off before I look at him once more. But before I can reply, the woman beside him grins like the Cheshire Cat and looks me up and down, assessing me.
“Is he the guy who left his number at the gallery?” she asks excitedly.
“The one and only.” He grins back, still staring into my eyes.
“Well, not the only one.” She snorts.
“You know what I mean,” he says, not missing a beat.
“I’m Conrad,” I say, offering my hand, and he looks down at it for a beat before shaking it. Our fingers linger, and it makes my skin tingle. “Nice to meet you.”
“I know.” He grins, cheeks tinting pink.
I narrow my eyes as I drop my hand back to my side. “This is the part where you introduce yourself.”
“I think you know who I am,” Kenneth says with a shrug, raising an eyebrow.
“I’d still like you to tell me,” I reply, not missing a beat either. Seems I have a comeback for everything that comes out of his mouth. He seems to like that, or at the very least, he finds me entertaining. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
“I’m Kenneth,” he replies with a smile.
“Ken,” the woman says, pushing his shoulder lightly. “Be nice to the guy. Stop fucking with him.”
“But it’s so much fun.” He pouts.
“I’m Jasmine.” She offers a smile. “His best friend.”
I smile back, relief hitting me like a truck. “Nice to meet you, Jasmine.”
Her smile widens. “You too.”
“Well, this has been fun,” Kenneth says, slapping his hands on the table and getting up from his chair. “I’m gonna close the tab.”
“Wait—” I grab his wrist when he goes to pass me, and I let go as if he’s burned me. He looks down at his hand, where I gripped him, and back up at me. “Are you gonna get in contact with me?”
“Maybe.” Kenneth shrugs, looking at me with a smile. “Maybe not.”
I nod, though my belly feels funny. Like maybe I’ll throw up. “I understand,” I reply, smiling tightly. “Have a good night.” I take a step away from him to let him pass me.
Kenneth’s mouth opens and closes, and then he says, “Listen, I don’t really date.
I think you’re hot, but it seems you want something more than a hot lay, and I don’t think I’m the right fit for that.
” I nod again, and it seems that’s all I can do.
He, on the other hand, looks a bit awkward for the first time, so that kind of makes me feel somewhat better.
“I’m sorry if I was mean. I wasn’t trying to be.
I hope you find what you’re looking for, though. ”
And then he turns around and walks away, leaving me here staring after him.
Fuck.
That went much worse than I thought it would.
I shake my head, and when I turn around, Jasmine is chuckling. Personally, I didn’t find this encounter amusing.
“There’s no hope for me, is there?” I ask her, squaring my shoulders, though there’s a grimace on my face.
“I wouldn’t say that.” Her grin is back, and she leans forward conspiratorially. “You could do one more thing to convince him.”
I hold my breath, waiting for her response, but when she doesn’t give it, I ask, “What is it?”
“There’s a pop-up show tomorrow night. You should come.” Jasmine pulls her phone out of her purse, handing it to me. “Give me your number, and I’ll text you the address.”
“Fuck, yes.” Emerson grins.
“Uh.” I shake my head. “No. I’m not gonna go, but thank you for offering. He’s clearly not interested, and I need to accept that.”
Emerson groans. “Why, Con? Give it one more shot. Come on!”
“My decision is final,” I say firmly. “He has my number if he changes his mind.”
Jasmine nods slowly, looking apologetic and sympathetic at the same time. “Okay, well, you guys have a good night, then.”
“You too,” I tell her, and Emerson does too.
I turn around, and as I do, Kenneth and I make eye contact once more. He smiles at me, and I smile back softly. My heart is pounding like crazy when he passes me, but he makes sure not to brush against me or come close to me at all. It makes my chest squeeze.
Why do I have to want him so badly?
“Em,” I sigh, walking back to our table. He follows. “I’m pretty sure I just made a fool of myself.”
“Why would you say no to Jasmine?” he asks.
“Because he was clearly not interested!” I whisper-yell. “I can’t force someone to go out with me. I just need to accept it and move on.” I hope I can.
“I still think you have a shot.” He claps me on the back once, and we sit down at our table. “Don’t give up yet. He’s the man of your dreams. It’s fate—”
“Maybe fate isn’t real.”
“Bullshit,” he says with an eye roll. “He’ll come back around, you’ll see.”
“I hope so…”
I look toward the table where they’re sitting, unable to stop, just to find them getting up.
My eyes snag on Kenneth the entire time he walks to the door, and just as he’s about to exit, he looks over his shoulder, and we make eye contact.
It’s intense, but he doesn’t even smile.
He turns around and exits, like I mean absolutely nothing to him.
Like I’m not the man of his dreams. I’m probably not.
Maybe I’m just destined for unrequited love.
Fuck.
Fate is such a little bitch for this one.