“Unfortunately, I do.”
I turn to face him and just catch the way his face almost falls in disappointment. But he puts his arm around my shoulders again, and together, we walk back up the pier.
“Thank you, again, for tonight. I had a lot of fun.”
“I did, too,” he says.
“I was kind of afraid when we were told to come up here that it would be awkward and weird. It was at first, but these last two days have been really great. Just what I needed.”
“Yeah, about that,” he says just as his phone rings in his pocket. Groaning, he takes it out, and I see Huxley’s name flash across it before he silences the phone call. But it’s only seconds before Huxley rings again.
“Must be important,” I say. “Go ahead, answer it. I’ll meet you in the car.”
“You sure?” he asks.
“Yeah. It’s fine.” I go to take off his jacket but he holds his hand up.
“Keep it. I’m fine.” And then he turns away and brings the phone to his ear. “What?” he answers in an annoyed tone.
As I walk toward the car, I hear a distant “Fuck” slip out of his mouth and my stomach immediately churns with worry.
It takes him about ten minutes before he joins me in the warm car, and when he sits down, I can tell the good mood he was in is gone as he moves his hand over his jaw. I’m afraid to ask, but I know if I don’t at least check with him, I’ll regret it.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” he says through clenched teeth. “Just some bullshit stuff I have to deal with tomorrow.”
“Anything I can help with?” I ask.
He shakes his head and looks out the window. “Nah, nothing you can deal with.”
And then, that’s it.
He shuts down.
What once was a perfect evening quickly vanishes and I don’t know what to do. What to say. Or how to help him. Therefore, we drive the rest of the way in silence. And when we get to the penthouse, I hand him his jacket and he tells me to have a good night. Even though JP was fun and mostly easygoing tonight, I’m sad with how it ended. I’m sad he shut down on me, because despite what he’s said about friendship between men and women, I felt as though he let me in as his friend tonight. And then, that simply . . . vanished.
Chapter Fourteen
JP
I was going to kiss her last night.
There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to either kiss her on the pier or at the penthouse. It was going to happen, I was fucking ready, willing, and needy. But then, Huxley’s call happened. Regis had gone behind my back to Huxley, saying Kelsey isn’t experienced enough for the position. He believes we shouldn’t have faith in her and that we should hire someone else. Someone on his team. Huxley told me to set my project straight.
I didn’t even want this fucking project.
I blew a goddamn gasket, and even though my phone call with Huxley was only short, I took a moment before getting back in the car. I didn’t want to blow up in front of Kelsey. And by the time I got back in the car, the moment was over.
And fuck was I in a bad mood about it last night. Instead of going to bed, I put on some workout clothes and went for a run. When I got back, I thought about checking on her, but by then, it was past midnight and I knew she’d be asleep.
What I would’ve given to tell her how I’ve been feeling about her, because, if anything, last night confirmed something for me. The night was perfect because I spent it with Kelsey. I loved hearing her moans of pleasure, her utter delight in the drag show, her obvious love of the beauty that is San Francisco Bay, and her clear enjoyment of being with me, too. So, I was about to tell her everything.
Huxley has the worst timing ever.
I wish I wasn’t that person who let small things affect my mood, I wish I could just let them roll off me and enjoy the moment, but that’s not me. It’s why I woke up this morning, ready to make it up to her. I had some bagels delivered, put together a fruit platter, and spent some time making bacon and eggs.
The last two days have been different, and I felt we’ve connected on another level. I hope she’s seen a different side of me, a side that appeals to her. I know she finds me attractive—and I don’t say that in a conceited way. I see the way she looks at me, but as she’s proven, attraction doesn’t mean everything to her. She wants a partner in this life, and unless I show her I can be that kind of man for her, I’m not sure she’ll ever give me a chance.
But I’m there. I can feel it. Last night, the night before . . . I can be the man she needs, and this morning, I plan on driving that home. The Mayor’s Ball is tonight and my plan is to spoil her with a trip to find a dress, to get her hair and makeup done, to make the entire night special, and when the moment is right, I’m going to ask her out. I’m going to ask her to give me a chance. I’m fucking nervous as shit, but I know if I don’t ask her, I’ll regret it.