Me: It’s a weird story. I finally learned why she seemed so familiar to me. She was Melodie’s best friend.
Because I’ve known Graham since grad school, he is very aware of what happened to my family and Mel’s death. In fact, had it not been for Graham, I’m not sure I could’ve gotten back on track after returning to school. As it was, it took me months to return to some semblance of normal and get my study habits and grades back to where they were prior to Mel’s funeral.
Graham: You were that oblivious not to recognize her? You are a self-absorbed asshat, you know that, right?
Miles: You don’t know the half of it. But yeah, she’s not the same girl I once knew.
Three dots appear and then disappear as if he’s consulting with hisAsk Idaexpert slash wife to help him dictate his note.
Finally, his response pops up, and it’s a bit unnerving because it hits too close to home.
Graham: Be careful there. She’s young and you’re not. Just be clear of your expectations so you don’t hurt her.
Graham: This is Soraya, btw. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
I knew it! I figured any relationship advice or comments would automatically be pawned off on his wife.
Me: Appreciate the advice,Ida. Safe travels home. See you all soon.
It will be nice to have them back in town. While I see Graham every day in the office, and some nights during impromptu happy hours, I don’t often get a chance to hang with Soraya. Being the third wheel around those two lovebirds is enough to drive a guy nuts. But they are a great couple and one that I hope I can spend more time with if things continue with Sutton.
While I’m still not interested in a relationship, I’ve rather enjoyed dating and getting to know Sutton as an adult these past weeks. I can see things progressing further, as long as she understands I’m not boyfriend material or a man that’s going to offer her marriage.
The husband and father role model I had in my life taught me one big lesson: don’t get married or have children. And don’t, under any circumstances, take on the role of stepfather.
None of that is anywhere on my Top 100 things to do in the next ten years.
Or maybe ever.
36
Sutton
“Oh my God,this is so delicious.” The moan I give after the first bite of my orange chicken would make even the highest-rated porn star blush.
And it garners a sexy eyebrow quirk from my dinner date.
Miles and I sit cross-legged on the floor in the breakroom, a term I use loosely since it doubles as the stock room, with a small mini fridge, a microwave on a stand, and a coffee maker on a makeshift platform. We sit, slurping up noodles, fried rice, and the most melt-in-your-mouth orange chicken I’ve ever tasted.
It could also be out of this world for the sheer fact that I haven’t eaten since breakfast and that I’m sharing it with Miles.
He wipes a napkin over his lips and the corners of his mouth lift in a sly grin. “You keep moaning like that, and I’m going throw you over that pile of boxes over there and have my way with you.”
“Mmm, that sounds good too. But let me finish this first.”
Miles shakes his head and laughs, reaching over and plucking a piece of chicken from my plate with his chopsticks. I quickly engage my own, wielding them like a sword, to prevent him from stealing any more. He laughs and raises his hands in surrender.
“Aggressive, much?”
I lift my shoulders and shove some greasy noodles in my mouth, slurping the slippery goodness through my lips and tilting my head in victory over not spilling a bit. My chopsticks skills are not up to par, at least not like they are for Miles.
“How are you so good with these?” I ask, waving around the wooden chopsticks between us.
Miles scoops up some rice, adding some vegetables, and takes a giant bite, as I watch his strong jaw work as he chews.
He follows his bite with a sip of water from the bottle, my eyes glued to the way his Adam’s apple bobs and moves as he swallows it down. How can eating be such a turn-on? It feels like a flip has been switched in me, and I’ve become ravenous for sex.
When I’m not with Miles, I’m thinking about what we’ve done together in bed, or what he will be doing to me. And when he’s present, it’s all I can do to restrain myself from tearing off my clothes and begging him to do wicked things to me.
