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Josh raised an eyebrow and thought about that response. What he wanted was to find a bed and make her scream his name, but he’d settle for being able to look at that million-dollar smile of hers. Caroline must have read his mind because her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.
“Ah, sushi?”
“Bait?” she asked with a look of shock and disgust.
“I guess not. I though women always wanted sushi. Or a salad.”
“Do I look like I should be living on salad? Or bait?”
She looked perfect. He didn’t care what she ate as long as she was happy. “No.”
She smiled. “Good. How about a burger?”
“I knew there was a reason I liked you, Rossi. Burger it is.”
He rested his hand on her back, between her shoulders, and kissed the top of her head, drawing glances from a number of people in the office. When they walked out together, he figured that would really get the receptionist’s panties in a bunch, as his grandmother always said.
Grandmas always had the best sayings.
* * *
Caroline didn’t thinkshe ever wanted to see Josh again. Until today, when he showed up at her office and stood close enough for her to catch his scent, and feel his warmth. When he smiled his eyes crinkled at the corners, and Caroline could swear her toes curled. He was so much more than she ever expected and her reaction to him was downright scary.
They left the building and as soon as they were on the sidewalk, and had walked a little, Josh stopped and took her hand. “I’m sorry about everything that happened at Meg and Jason’s. You trusted me with something personal, and I had no right to blurt it out the way I did.”
“It’s okay. You had a point, about my writing, and I appreciate the way you took my side. I don’t usually have an ally.”
“I shouldn’t have told them, though. Your writing is yours and that was out of line.”
She wasn’t going to disagree with him and he squeezed her hand to emphasize that he meant what he said.
“So, we’re good?” he asked.
Caroline chuckled and nodded. “Let’s go. I’m hungry.”
The street was crowded, which was not unusual for this time of day. People were out and about doing what Caroline would normally be doing—grabbing something at a nearby deli to eat at her desk. It was a bad habit, and she was glad Josh had come by and gotten her out of the office.
He offered her his arm as they walked, ever the gentleman, and she happily slipped her through the crook. It was casual, friendly—and he did it without hesitation. The familiarity, the closeness were part of them now. He’d touched her in places no one else had, and it had changed things. “I was such a horse’s ass over the weekend.”
“It’s over,” she said. “Just forget it.”
“I’ve been thinking about your suggestion.”
“What suggestion?’
“The friends-with-benefits thing.”
“Oh.” Caroline died a little inside. “That.”
“It’s probably not a good idea,” he said. “I mean, we both know that.”
Why was he doing this? He didn’t have to bring it up. It’s not like she was going to mention it. Good grief, if he never brought it up again, she’d be thankful. “I understand,” she said. “It was a bad idea. I’m embarrassed I said it.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. I like hanging out with you,” he said. “And it was good between us. Very good.”
Whoa. What? Were angels singing? She thought she heard angels. He liked being with her in bed? She could hold onto that. Like forever.
“Yes, it was.” There was no way in hell she could tell him what she really thought. No way she could let him know how much he affected her. How she hadn’t been able to think about anything else. “But I don’t know what you’re driving at.”
