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"Who am I to deny your inbred chivalry?" I said with a shrug, hiding my pleasure.
We walked slower than the weather dictated since it was freezing, but we found ourselves not wanting to hurry. Our hands brushed against each other as we made our way to my apartment. I told myself we were walking close to each other because of the cold, but it didn't explain why our pace was so slow.
After we climbed the stairs to my apartment, which Simon insisted on walking up with me, he turned and gave me a slow smile. I lingered outside my door although I had already fished my key out of my purse.
"Thanks for your help today," he said. I could see his breath in the cold air as he spoke.
"No problem," I said smiling. "Well...I'll see you in a few hours."
"A few hours," Simon repeated. His hand came up but he stilled it, noticing my nervous glance at it. His eyes darkened and I saw a quick flash in his eyes, an expression crossing them that chilled me. I felt like I didn't recognize Simon in that moment where he just stared at me, his eyes boring into mine. I looked up at him, my mouth dry.
Then Simon blinked and the humor came back into his eyes. "You can't escape me," he said with a smile that softened his words.
I was unsure what he meant by those cryptic words. I decided to take it as a joke. "You've already roped me in as your cooking teacher. I'm obligated now," I said lightly. I unlocked the door and opened it, ready to step inside.
Simon smiled. "I'll take any obligation I can get." He turned and walked down the steps as I stared at his retreating back, unsure whether I felt fear or anticipation.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sarah dragged me to the couch and demanded I recount every moment of my day with Simon. I told her everything, but withheld the feelings that Simon was stirring in me. I didn't need her trying to push us together. I normally told Sarah everything, but even I wasn't sure what I was feeling. Ever since I
had withheld the visions coming back from Sarah, it seemed easier and easier to keep things from her. I felt guilty about it, but I wasn't ready to face reality myself and keeping it from Sarah let me pretend a little longer that everything was normal. That I was normal.
Sarah texted Grant and Marcus, as well as Jenny, inviting them over for dinner and they immediately texted back, accepting. Sarah and I made chicken paillard with linguine because she had been bugging me about it since I had mentioned it last week. More specifically, I made the chicken paillard and Sarah made the salad.
The apartment was filled with the smells of lemon and butter by the time the boys arrived. Simon looked irresistible in dark jeans and a black t-shirt that showed off his leanly muscled frame. He was going to break a lot of hearts tonight.
"It smells awesome in here," Simon exclaimed as they shrugged off their coats. "I'm going to consider this a preview of what's to come at my place."
"You're going to be doing the cooking, not me," I said sternly, but I wasn't able to suppress my laugh. "I'm teaching you. I'm not doing the actual cooking, remember?"
Simon smirked. "I'm always open to negotiation."
I raised an eyebrow. "You've never negotiated with me before."
Simon leaned down towards me. "I look forward to the opportunity," he replied with a wolfish grin.
I saw Sarah behind Simon, gaping at me. I knew she was shocked by our exchange because it sounded like I was flirting. And I never flirted. Her expression brought me back to my senses and I turned to address Marcus and Grant. "We'll eat as soon as Jenny gets here. Go ahead and help yourself to drinks."
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door and Sarah let Jenny in.
"Thank God!" exclaimed Grant. "I'm starving!"
"Well, hello to you too," Jenny said sarcastically but with a smile. She turned to Marcus. "Hi Marcus."
Marcus smiled shyly. "Hi Jenny. You look great."
Jenny did look great. She was wearing tight black leggings with tall heeled boots, paired with a green sequined top that complemented her red hair. Sarah had dressed for the occasion too, since we were heading down to the East End after dinner. She was wearing a black miniskirt with tights and a pink scooped-neck sweater that did wonders for her cleavage.
I had tried to make some concessions with my own outfit because of Sarah's nagging. I was wearing dark skinny jeans with a black sleeveless turtleneck sweater and I had traded in my flip flops for black heels. Even though it was a relatively low heel, I was unused to them and hoped I didn't fall and make a fool of myself.
Jenny grabbed my hand and twirled me around, letting out a whistle. "Caitlin, how is it that you look more sexy covered up than Samantha in her hooker clothes?" She winked at me.
"Jenny," I laughed, horrified. "I'm wearing a turtleneck, for goodness sake. I don't think anyone can be sexy in a turtleneck."
"I'm not so sure about that," Simon drawled, looking me up and down. "I'd say you were living proof it's possible."
I flushed furiously at his words and lazy perusal of my body. "Okay, enough about my outfit," I said with a grimace. "Otherwise I'm changing into my Oscar the Grouch t-shirt."
