Not that anyone was wrong about our chemistry. Despite not really knowing each other that well, we seemed to click and get each other, though there was still a long way to go before I’d classify us asfriends. And I refused to acknowledge the part of my brain that screamed it wantedmore.
“Thank you.” Trent’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I had to do some mental gymnastics to try and figure out what they were talking about.
“People are going to just love the two of you together,” Rita crowed, and my chest constricted.
I gave a tight smile and could see the concern flittering in Trent’s eyes. It really was sweet, the way he worried about my feelings. Despite the fact it made me feel like a complete asshole because while my wife had decided to leave me, his husband had died. I should have been the one helping and protectinghim.
And it really struck me in that moment how true that was. I wanted to protect him. To be the one he leaned on and confided in, the one who helped him through whatever he needed help getting through.
Then again, maybe he didn’t need my help. Or maybe he didn’t wantmyhelp.
Shit. It was all so confusing. Or at least it felt that way until he looked up and smiled at me. I felt like no one was in the room but us when he looked at me that way.
So maybe it wasn’t so confusing after all.
Everyone commented on our chemistry, and I couldn’t deny there was something there, no matter how much I protested in public.
With another glance at my watch, I winced when I saw the time.
Almost midnight. I couldn’t help but wonder if my chariot was about to turn into a pumpkin.
“I’m sorry,” I cut off Mark, though honestly, I had no idea what the conversation was about anymore, “I don’t mean to be rude, but we really should be collecting the kids and getting them situated and in bed.” A tight smile crossed my face, and I wanted nothing more than to get out of that room. And out of the suit that had been suffocating me for the last three hours.
Trent gave me a puzzled look but went along with my ruse. He tipped back the last of his champagne and threw a grin my way as he collected my empty glass from my hand, which I didn’t even remember finishing, and put them on the tray of a passing waiter.
Mark looked confused but Rita bid us a good night, with a wink, as she dragged her husband away.
I let out a breath and Trent tugged my sleeve, a mischievous smile slowly spreading across his face.
“You do remember that the kids are staying in my room tonight, right? And they’re probably already asleep.”
I let out a huff and nodded. My chest constricted and my breath got caught in my throat as I watched his eyes darken as they dropped down to my lips. His tongue darted out as he licked his lips, and it took everything I had to stifle a groan that threatened to escape.
“So,” Trent asked, cocking his head, “can I walk you to your door?”
I never thought such a simple question would leave me a quivering mess. Even though I couldn’t find the words, I nodded enthusiastically. Trent let out a chuckle as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me out of the room.
Throwing caution to the wind, I decide to let whatever happens, happen. I mirrored Trent’s action and snaked my arm around his back and wrapped my hand around his shoulder. Every time I caught him looking at me as we made our way to the elevator, I swear my heart stopped, waiting to see what he would do or say.
But he remained annoyingly silent as we watched the numbers on the elevator count down to the floor we were on. An eternity later, the doors slid open to an empty elevator, and we stumbled inside, Trent letting out a giggle.
It’s well known there is a certain magic that happens in elevators when occupied by two people with the amount of chemistry and attraction that Trent and I had. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t spend the entire ride up the seven floors to our room waiting for him to kiss me.
Disappoint fluttered in my chest when we made it to our floor and the only move Trent made was to slide his hand from my shoulders down to my elbow. He didn’t even say anything.
Then again, I had just as much of a chance to say or do something, but I had remained just as silent and still.
When I made no move to leave the elevator with Trent, he cast a quizzical glance behind him but still didn’t say anything.
I wasn’t sure what he saw in my eyes as we stood there and stared at each other from opposite sides of the elevator, but suddenly his face softened.
“Hey,” he said as his hand slid further down my arm. His index finger slowly caressed the back of my hand, as though he were afraid of spooking me.
But maybe I was already spooked.
“Hi,” I replied, the corners of my mouth twitching, trying to return his smile.
Feeling bold, I reached out with my own index finger and caught his. I wouldn’t exactly call it holding hands, but I also wouldn’t call itnotholding hands.
