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I look down at my watch and notice the time. “Shit. I’m sorry. I’ve kept you later than expected.”
“No worries. I wasn’t going to make you clean this up by yourself.”
“Thanks for staying and helping today.”
“Would it make me a horrible person if I said I did it to see you?” Silence fills the room as I think of something to say. “Sorry, that was probably crossing the line.” She pushes off the counter and heads into the office to collect her belongings.
“Just give me a minute to shut the lights off and I’ll walk you out.”
“Okay.”
Running to the office, I snag my keys and turn all the lights off. I meet up with Parisa in the hallway and we walk down together. Opening the door, she walks past me, and I secure the door by locking the deadbolt. When I turn around Parisa wraps her arms around herself in an attempt to stay warm in the cold. “You didn’t need to wait.”
“I wanted to.” Her warm breath sends a misty fog into the air.
I nod my head and escort her through the moonlit parking lot. Once she’s close enough to her car, she presses the button on her key fob unlocking her doors. She pulls the handle and I finish opening it the rest of the way. Before getting in, she turns around and looks up at me. My eyes shift back and forth between hers before moving down. My gaze lingering on her lips. Her tongue peeks out before she nibbles on her bottom lip. I can’t help but stare in fascination, wanting to be the one to nibble on that lip. A dog barking in the distance pulls me from my trance. “Thanks for staying tonight.”
“You said that already.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Well, I better get going.”
“Yeah. Me too.” Parisa stretches up on her tippy toes and tilts her head to the side. Instinctively I turn my head at the same time and our lips meet. Soft and supple. And for the briefest moment I want to say forget everything that’s happened and tell her to come home with me. God knows my dick is screaming at me to do that very thing. Just as quickly as the kiss started, it’s over. Parisa pulls away, uncertainty etched across her face.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” Her fingers press against her lips like she’s wanting to hold on to the feeling for a moment longer.
“No. It’s my fault. I turned my head when clearly you were going for my cheek.”
“Yeah. Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
This time, I let her get into her car. Once she’s seated, I shut the door. The sound of the engine roars to life and I take a step back as she reverses out of the parking spot. I watch as she exits the parking lot, her red taillights disappearing into the dark night. When I reach my car, I open the door, and climb inside. I start the engine and while it idles, I think back to the whole evening. Parisa’s unexpected arrival just so she could talk to me. The two kisses we shared. There’s an undeniable pull between us and I’m starting to lose my grasp on why I continue to deny it. “Shit,” I mumble to myself, remembering some loan documents I left on the desk in the office. I turn off my car and make my way back inside.
Twenty-Four
One night and it’s gone
Parisa
I stir awake to the beeping of my alarm clock. Turning over, I repeatedly smack the top button until the persistent noise stops. I roll back over when visions of yesterday flit through my mind. Seeing Seth. The kiss in the kitchen. The kiss at my car. My lips pull into a full smile from the memory. He has this magical ability to turn me into a giddy teenager and it excites me and terrifies me all at the same time. I’ve never felt so drawn to a person before, not only physically, but mentally as well. He makes me want to be a better person every day.
Running off the high from yesterday, I saunter into my closet and pick out a fun and flirty outfit; an oversized blush sweater, dark skinny jeans, and tan booties and set it on my bed. Exiting my bedroom, I take the short walk down the hallway to hop in the shower. The warm water cascades over my body and I can’t wash away the permanent smile on my face. Once I’m finished, I wrap my fluffy bathrobe around me and finish my morning routine of blow drying my hair, applying my light make up, and getting dressed. I peel back the blackout curtains, the morning sun warming my face. As I walk into my kitchen, the automatic coffee maker beeps, the warm vanilla aroma informing me it’s ready. After I collect everything I need for work, I head out of my apartment.
As I walk into The Blue Stone Group, I’m still fighting to keep the smile off my face. All I have to do is think of Seth and butterflies take flight in my belly. Instantly, that feeling evaporates when I see the look on Olivia’s face as she talks to Trey. Her brows are furrowed, concern etched on her features. I hurry my pace until I’m standing next to Trey, eyes fixed on Olivia. “What’s wrong?” Then I turn to Trey. “Will someone tell me what’s wrong?”
“Uh…well…” Trey wraps his hand around the back of his neck.
My gaze darts back to Olivia. “Did you see the news this morning?”
“No, I didn’t see the news. What happened?”
Olivia looks to Trey before turning to me. “There was a fire last night, at The Lilith House—”
All my thoughts fly to Seth. He was there with me last night, but I left before him. “Where’s Seth? Is he alright?” Panic seizes up my throat and my palms get clammy. I left before Seth. What if he went back inside? White spots pop up as my vision fades. I rest my hand on the desk for balance as my entire body sways to the left. Suddenly, hands are gripping me, and I’m being lowered onto a chair. Muffled voices surround me as if I’m in the classroom with Charlie Brown’s teacher. Someone shoves a bottle of water at my face and tells me to drink it. The cool water hits my lips, pulling me back into the present.
Finally, Trey puts me out of my misery. “Seth’s fine. Everyone’s fine. The place was empty, but the building is a total loss.”
