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I figure he might want to talk about a surprise party for Zoe after all, but there’s something in his voice that doesn’t sound very festive.
“I’m really not sure,” I croak, almost dropping my fork. Feeling like hearing him ask is a death knell. Sapping what strength I have left, keeping those thoughts at bay.
“Leaving college is a big step,” he adds gently. Reading my thoughts.
“I… I don’t want to go back,” I finally manage to get out, feeling all my emotions catch in my throat. Making my voice sound strangled.
Michael looks pained, and I’m sure his hand moves closer to mine, almost covering it when Zoe comes back in. Growling to herself and holding both her hands up in the air.
I feel a part of me die when I see Michael snatch his hand away before touching me.
“Men! I tell ya, Sheree. Never get involved, it’ll save you a lot of headaches,” Zoe preaches to me in a loud voice.
As if I couldn’t feel much worse, I have my best friend advising me that I’m better off staying the way I am.
Feeling flabby and very single. Like an old spinster, nobody could ever want and I’m not even twenty-two yet.
To my surprise, I hear myself giving her a piece of my own mind for a change.
“I’d hardly call Todd Freeman a man, Zoe,” I say making her dad cover his mouth with a napkin as he tries not to lose a mouthful of food from laughing so hard.
“Dad!” Zoe whines before giving me an annoyed look.
“I like Todd, even if nobody else does,” she insists, folding her arms and almost stamping her foot.
Michael and I simmer down, realizing she’s not acting now and neither of us would ever hurt her feelings on purpose.
“Do you wanna talk about it?” her dad offers, that calm voice of his taking me in again.
I could have him go over all my problems for a lifetime if he spoke like that every time.
“I’m fine,” Zoe sighs, taking her seat again and sitting upright all prim and proper.
She can take a hit and feel it, but Zoe is back on deck with guns blazing within two minutes, on average.
“So… he apologized at least?” I ask, trying to avoid her father’s eyes and focus on her feelings instead of my own, which have almost reached boiling point by the way.
Having Michael’s hand so close to mine, and then withdraw like that?
It leaves me with way more questions than answers.
Zoe only shrugs and changes the subject again. Talking more about the Romeo and Juliet play. Her real life efforts being a sad case of life imitating art, maybe.
When her phone rings a second time as I’m helping her clear the dishes once we finish eating, both her dad and I urge her to ignore it, but she shrieks when she sees the number.
“I have to take this,” she says and leaving me alone with her dad a second time she darts away again.
Michael shoots me a knowing look, and we both know somehow it’s not Todd calling back but something more exciting.
I start towards the sink once I’ve stacked the plates Zoe’s left when I feel the charge I’ve been waiting for all night as well as four years run through me.
Michael’s huge hand holds me firmly by the wrist, making sure I don’t get away this time but we both know we only have seconds to ourselves.
“I need to see you, Ashlee,” he says in a deep voice. Almost a growl but nowhere near upset or angry.
It’s an intense, passionate statement rather than a request.
A command I can’t ignore.
The heat of his hand on me travels straight to my clit, which I feel stiffen to a degree of arousal I’ve never felt before.
My face flushes hot, but nowhere near as hot as the space between my legs. My nipples are instantly stiff and at attention, craving the same hand to cup me. To squeeze me all over, hard.
“About Zoe’s party?” I ask innocently, sounding a hell of a lot blonder than I already am.
He looks confused, almost annoyed by the subject before he shakes his head, sliding his grip as it softens closer to my hand. Eclipsing it under his with a gentle squeeze.
“Tomorrow,” he rasps with such an intensity I gasp.
“My office. Just come, will you? I… I need to see you, Sheree,” he says urgently, the second shriek from Zoe sends his hand away from mine before she bolts back into the kitchen.
“The lead’s understudy, she’s broken her leg!” Zoe beams, looking triumphant.
I feel my face twist in question, annoyed at her for interrupting me and her dad, but also curious now.
“Romeo and Juliet,” she explains to both her dad and me as we stand in front of her, puzzled.
“Ugh!” she groans impatiently. “Dad? I have to go. Right now, tonight! They need me at the theater,” she explains quickly, totally ignoring me.
