“You stepped off that elevator like Santa gave you your gift early.”
Surveying the lobby to ensure it was empty, I dropped my voice and said, “Kris asked me on a date.” I didn’t add the part about me practically goading him to do so.
“Well thank God the mistletoe worked for someone.”
“It’s just a date.”
“It’s always just a date until it turns into something more. My parents have been married for thirty-four years. And do you know how that happened?”
“How?”
“With a first date.”
Back in my office, I gave into the possibility. Chloe was right, eventually one of these first dates would be my last because it would be with my forever person. It was doubtful Kris would be the one to change my status from perpetually dating to taken. I got the sense he wasn’t comfortable staying in one place for long with all the running with the bulls and jumping off cliffs. But a winter fling … was that a thing? Whatever you called it, winter fling, holiday ho down, or a Christmas canoodle, I was here for it.
And he’d asked me to pack an overnight bag. If he thought I was the type of woman who would sleep with him on the first date, he was absolutely right. I mean we were both grown, and life was too short to play hard to get. It was mere weeks until Christmas. If we were going to do this thing, I wanted a chance to enjoy it before we both moved on. Kris seemed like the type of lover who would require several fucks to get out of my system. So I planned to make him and his tongue my bitch.
I could be very persuasive when I had to be, but I got the sense Kris wouldn’t need much arm twisting. A ribbon of excitement rippled in my stomach. Just a few weeks ago, the possibility of sex with someone else wasn’t even on the table. And now I had options. Note to self, make sure Kris fucks you on a sturdy table. My mind was racing as I made a mental list of the cute outfits and undergarments I needed to pack.
A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. Standing outside my office was Aiden.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’ve been better.” Occasionally my equilibrium was off and I’d popped more than the recommended daily dosage of ibuprofen.
Venturing into my office, he said, “I know what will fix you right up, dinner at Spoon and Stable. I can get us reservations for Saturday.”
“I can’t. I’ve already got plans.”
“What are you and Celeste going to give each other mani-pedis and watchGirlfriendreruns?” I didn’t realize until well after our relationship ended that this man genuinely hated me. He thought I was silly, that my hobbies were frivolous, and that he was so much smarter and funnier than I was. Aiden never hyped me up but was eager to receive my praise of him, which I gave freely because I thought we were on the same page. But now I know he tolerated me because of what I could do for him, because I looked good on his arm, and the only time he’d brag about me or my accomplishments was when he was trying to make himself look better.
“No, actually I have a date.” I don’t know why I shared that extra detail. But there was still a part of me that wanted him to know men found me desirable and what he wouldn’t do, another brother most certainly could. And if that brother was Kris, I would happily let him do any and everything his heart desired.
“Wow.” He stretched his face into an incredulous smirk.
“You broke up with me, remember?”
“It hasn’t even been a year.”
“Our relationship wasn’t even cold and you were posting pictures kissing another woman on New Year’s Eve.”
“That didn’t count. I was nursing a broken heart.”
“Do you ever get tired of blowing smoke up my ass? The only reason you want me back is because you can’t have me.”
“That’s not true.”
“I need you to be so fucking for real right now. We are not a good fit. We never were.”
Aiden walked around my desk. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me to my feet. “Look, I know I fucked up. Believe me, I regret breaking up with you. I guess I was just scared.”
“Of what?”
“Of how much I love you.”
“Aiden—” I tossed a glance at my open office door. The last thing I wanted was for the soap opera that was our relationship playing out for all our coworkers to hear.
“Let me speak. I’ve been trying to tell you this for months now. I love you, Belen. And I could see myself marrying you.”
