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Julian
It'sa miracle I didn't burn the entire fucking place down tonight. My concentration was shit. The heat from the grill felt ten times hotter than it normally does, but I know that wasn't why I was sweating. It wasn't why I kept stepping away. It wasn't even why my face felt like it was on fire all night.
Nope.
There's only one reason I felt off my game, and her name is Piper.
With her long locks pulled high on top of her head in a ponytail, I couldn't stop staring at the curve of her neck. Or the way she kept blowing one stray strand out of her face, her lips puckering.
But what really had all my senses firing tonight was how her eyes would light up when I'd compliment her. Her jade green globes would sparkle, and my knees felt like they were going to give out.
There's no denying how gorgeous she is. I've always thought so, but there's something about seeing her excel at something that's out of her element. She has no experience cooking in a restaurant, using industrial equipment, or reading tickets, but you wouldn't have known it by the end of the night.
Which made me want to break the promise I made to her to remain friends. I knew it was a mistake to agree. I knew it wasn't what she really wanted. It was hard to miss the uncertainty in her voice. Even if I had, I felt her stare when I took my shirt off. I saw the lust in her eyes when she finally met my gaze. But she hadn't left me much of an option. It sounded important to her, and even though I know she can feel the chemistry between us, I'll honor her request.
For now.
It might kill me, though. Literally.
Because I can't even talk to Brady about her. She wants to keep this a secret from our friends, and in order for her to keep my secret, I don't have a choice.
That doesn't stop me from wanting to take her in my arms and press her lips to mine. From laying her on the table and having my way with her the way I've dreamed of over the years. From wishing we could be more than friends.
Which is why I find myself gravitating toward her as she talks. Staring at her lips as they form words I barely register. And at the last second, reminding myself that she's not the only one who has a secret she wants to keep. Which is the only thing that keeps me from kissing her like my life depends on it.
As soon as she's out the door, I plop down in my office chair and let out the groan I've been holding in most of the night. This is going to be hell. Working with her, seeing her in class, and not being able to touch her. To have her this close but to have to keep space between us.
Because I know the second I touch her, taste her, feel her skin against mine, I'm done for.
I've been holding back for years, waiting for her to give me a sign that she's interested, patiently waiting for the right moment to make my move. And it's now. I had my chance tonight, but it feels like she's already slipped through my fingers.
"How'd it go?" my mom asks, but doesn't wait for my assessment before answering her question. "She seemed to pick up on things quick. I didn't have any complaints about any of her dishes. Yours, on the other hand..."
"I'm sorry," I say before she can launch into a speech I don't want to hear. It's already close to midnight, and I have class early again tomorrow.
"What happened tonight?"
"I was focused on making sure she was comfortable, and I stepped away for too long a few times."
"JJ," she scolds. "If she hadn't been here tonight, you would have been working both stations; something you've done many times. What really happened tonight? Because having Piper here should have made your job a whole lot easier, not more difficult."
I love my mother, but you can't get anything past her. It makes me wish my dad was here tonight instead. He’d be easier to talk to about this than Mom. But only one of them can be here at a time; the other has to take care of my sister when she’s not in school.
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Mom. I screwed up. I’ll do better tomorrow night.”
“Will Piper be here?”
“She will.” Snagging the scrap paper off my desk, I hold it out for my mother. “This is what we agreed for her schedule.”
“It looks almost identical to yours.”
A happy coincidence. I can’t be here on the weekends because of frat responsibilities, and Piper said she’d rather work during the week.
“Yeah, well, you said she was my responsibility.” My mother smiles at me, her eyebrow lifting in challenge. “What?”
“Nothing.” She pauses, but I know she’s not done. “She’s pretty, don’t you think?”
“Yes, Mom. She’s very pretty. I’ve also known her for two years. She’s friends with Max’s little sister.”
