“Why not? Aren’t you… lonely?”
“I am sometimes,” I said. “But you keep me busy.” I gave her a quick smile.
She frowned. “Why don’t you go out tonight? The love of your life might be just around the corner.”
I scoffed. “I’m not interested. That’s… That’s not for me.”
“Ani says you need to get laid.”
I chuckled at that. “Of course he does. I’m doing OK.”
“You’re here. Alone. No real work to do but hang out and wait for me. Why not go out and have some fun?”
“I am having fun.” I reached out and took her hand in mine. I didn’t know what possessed me to do it, but I twined my fingers with hers and stared down at our hands.
“I like your nails,” I murmured, taking in the pretty pink French tips.
“They need to be done again,” she replied softly, not pulling away from me.
I swallowed. “I can take you if you’d like.”
“I would like that,” she answered. “Ellis and I?”
“Yes,” I said. “My treat.”
She scoffed. “You don’t need to pay for me?—”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
She nodded, her lips parted. I placed my other hand over ours.
“I want to pay so I can pick out your next nails.”
She raised her brows at that. “Really?”
I nodded. “I’d like to see them in something wild. Neon green. Long. Little charms on them.”
“Yeah?” She smirked at me.
I nodded. “Hot pink. Neon blue. Neon purple. That bright yellow. Maybe some black cheetah print on them. Give them a crazy 80s look.”
“Are you being serious?” She laughed.
“Yes.” I laughed with her. “I want to see your nails like that. I love this sweet look, but I know you, Red. You’re a wild child. Those would be wild.”
“OK.” She stopped laughing and stared at me, her green eyes sparkling.
I raised my brows. “Yeah? You’ll let me?”
She nodded. “Yes. You’re in charge.”
“I like being in charge.” I laughed softly as we stared at one another. I hadn’t even realized I was leaning into her until her nose was nearly touching mine.
Her eyes searched me as I darted my gaze to her soft, parted lips.
“Ry?”
“Yeah?”
