What the hell am I doing?
I turn and head for the weight room, ignoring the looks and the whispers. I have an afternoon workout to get through, and I need to stop thinking about how her fingers felt on my skin.
I’m halfway through my third set of deadlifts when Zayden appears.
He doesn’t say anything at first; he just leans against the squat rack and watches me with that knowing expression I dislike.
“What?” I grunt, racking the weight.
“Nothing.”
“Then stop staring at me.”
“Can’t help it. I’m witnessing history.” He grins. “Banks Callahan, hand on a woman’s back, walking her to work like a gentleman. I should’ve taken a picture.”
“Shut up.”
“The cafeteria is still buzzing, you know. Logan’s told the story about forty-seven times. It gets more dramatic with each retelling. In the latest version, you punched Grayson.”
“I didn’t punch anyone.”
“I know. I’m disappointed, honestly.”
I grab my water bottle and take a long drink, mostly to avoid responding.
Zayden doesn’t take the hint. “So, how’d it go? Besides the obvious.”
“Fine.”
“Fine? That’s all I get?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I don’t know. Maybe something about how you looked at her like she was the only person in the room. Or how you actually smiled—don’t argue, Archer told me—which I’m pretty sure is a sign of the apocalypse.”
“I didn’t smile.”
“Multiple witnesses say otherwise.”
I throw my towel at him. He catches it, laughing.
“I’m just saying,” he continues, more serious now, “you looked comfortable with her. Natural. That’s not nothing.”
“It’s fake, Zayden. The whole point is to look natural.”
“Sure.” He tosses the towel back. “I just don’t think you’re that good of an actor.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I ask.
“Nope. This is way more entertaining.” He pushes off the squat rack. “Tori’s going to want details, by the way. She’s been texting me all afternoon.”
“Tell her there are no details.”
He heads for the door but pauses before leaving. “Hey, Banks?”
“What?”
“For what it’s worth? I think this is good for you. Fake or not.” His expression is genuine for once, no teasing. “You’ve been alone a long time, man. It’s okay to let someone in. Even if it’s just pretend.”
