“Uh-huh, sure, well, hypothetically, I’d say that person is trying to be part of your—I mean that person’s hypothetical life and get to know them,” he replies. “When you say talk, do you mean WhatsApp, Snapchat, or text?”
“What the fuck is Snapchat?” I mutter.
Evan laughs. “You’re so old school.”
“Is that a bad thing?” I ask.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen you nervous about anything,” Evan teases, “but no, it’s not a bad thing at all. Some even prefer it. You’ve got game, Conan, hypothetically.”
“It’s not like that,” I defend. Mackie likes Noah, doesn’t he? Besides, that’s not why I want to be in his life, but maybe if I get to know him better, I can help him and Noah. I also like talking to him—as a friend, of course.
“Whatever you say, boss man.” Evan stands. “I’ll leave you to get ready.” He hesitates. “You should ask them out. I’ve never seen you like this before. Take a chance. You never know. Even if you don’t end up dating, it’s always good to have the experience and meet new people.”
“Doesn’t asking them to meet signify something?”
“Yes and no.” He shrugs. “But you’ll never know until you try.”
He flits from my office, and I glance back at my phone. I don’t mean to cross that line with Mackie, but maybe Evan is right. It couldn’t hurt to get to know him. That’s it, the only reason, no other.
Grabbing my phone, I navigate to his texts to see he hasn’t read them yet. He’s probably working. He mentioned they are practicing a lot. I don’t know what that entails, but it’s clear he loves his job and takes it very seriously.
Taking a chance, I type out a text.
Conan: I meant my offer by the way. Want to go furniture shopping for your new place? I can pick you up after work.
Sitting back, I wait for his answer, feeling nervous and excited in a way I haven’t been for years.
NINE
Ireread Conan’s text a few times, biting my lip as I stare at my screen.
“Whatchya watching? Porn?” I jump at Sky’s voice as he drops into the seat opposite me. “It better be porn with how hard you’re staring at that screen, or even those organization videos online, because they are addictive.”
I sigh and put my phone down screen first on the table, debating if I should ask him or not.
“Spit it out, brother. You look like a wound-up Chihuahua.”
“I’m more of a golden retriever,” I joke before I shuffle closer and lower my voice. “If someone were to ask you to go furniture shopping, would you think it’s a date?”
“Is it a guy? Either way, that doesn’t even matter. Yes, it’s a date,” he scoffs, and then his eyes narrow. “Oh my fucking god, who asked you?”
“No one.” I shrug, even more confused, but he snatches my phone. My eyes widen as I try to grab it, but he keeps it out of reach.
“Oh shit, is this Evan’s boss?” Skylar yells as he scrolls through my messages, and my heart slams in my chest. “Holy shit, dude, he is totally flirting with you.”
“He only asked me to go furniture shopping.” I huff as I reach for my phone and tumble into his seat as we wrestle for it.
“Who asked you to go furniture shopping?” Noah’s cold voice makes us stop, and I take the opportunity to grab my phone and slide back into my seat.
“Conan, the photographer. Seems they’ve been texting.” Skylar grins, wiggling his eyebrows. “I guess Mackie does have a type—older and hot.”
“Shut up,” I grumble as I grip my phone, looking at Noah. His eyes are on me despite Skylar’s words, and I feel myself shrink under his glare before I remember everything that happened, and I sit up. “He asked me to go with him. Since he isn’t working with us anymore, it isn’t a problem, is it?”
I swear I see his jaw clench, and I wait with bated breath. If he tells me he doesn’t want me to go, then I won’t. If he just gives me some sign I stand a chance with him, then I’ll never talk to Conan again. I’ll sit here and wait for him.
“Of course it isn’t,” Sky scoffs, totally oblivious, but when I glance at him, his eyes sparkle evilly.
“You think I should go?” I ask him, but I glance at Noah, who is still watching me. I practically beg him to tell me not to. Anything, I’ll take anything.
