AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ursula,” he provided with a chuckle. “Yeah, that didn’t work out. I should’ve known it wasn’t in the cards when she refused to let my dog sleep in the same bed with us. It’s true you can’t trust someone who doesn’t like dogs.”
I smiled with genuine amusement because I agreed. I had to put down my dog last year when I discovered he had incurable cancer. I hadn’t been able to get another dog yet, but I hadn’t met a dog I didn’t like. “Yeah, I should’ve known my ex wasn’t going to work out either. He didn’t have much sympathy when my dog got sick, and I had to put him down.”
“What a monster,” he said, shaking his head. Oliver hesitated a minute before gesturing toward the patio, “Want to talk outside?”
I didn’t know how to play coy or hard to get. I was probably breaking all the rules of engagement by readily agreeing, but he was easy to talk to, and I was shocked as hell that he seemed to like talking to me, too.
It felt good, really good. I’d forgotten how much fun it could be to chat with someone you’re attracted to.
I followed him outside, glad for some fresh air. Jaymee had an uncomfortable antique patio set outside that no one liked to sit in and a more modern chaise that sat two if they wanted to be cozy. Usually, Jaymee and Phillip sat together on the chaise while I took one of the ugly antique chairs.
Oliver took in the situation and chuckled. “I’ll take the spindly chair if you want.”
What a gentleman, I wanted to melt into a puddle of feminine goo. “We can share,” I offered. “If you don’t mind being a little close.”
“I don’t mind,” he said, the corners of his mouth lifting a little. “But if you feel uncomfortable, just let me know. I don’t mind taking the other chair.”
I loved that he was willing to do whatever it took to make me comfortable, which was a shocking change from what I’d had with Roger. I didn’t want to do Oliver an injustice by constantly comparing him to Roger, but the differences were hard to miss.
It also made me realize how I’d been selling myself short to a man who hadn’t deserved my time and effort.
I settled next to him. I could smell his skin. Before I realized what I was doing, I leaned forward and inhaled deeply. “You smell good,” I said, then immediately blushed. “I’m sorry, that was weird, wasn’t it?”
Instead of answering, he leaned toward me, his nose close enough to my neck to feel the energy pulse between us. He inhaled, pulling away with a smile. “You smell good, too.”
There was something between us, something, unlike anything I’d ever known. I was comfortable around him, yet my stomach churned with giddy excitement.
When your college crush was sitting beside you, looking at you with those gorgeous hazel eyes, seemingly enthralled with you, it was hard to remember why you were committed to avoiding people.
Jaymee’s suggestion of throwing caution to the wind and doing something wild suddenly seemed a far more attractive option than slowly disappearing from society and becoming a nun.
“I’m really bad at small talk,” I admitted, wishing I had more of Jaymee’s poison punch to grease the social wheels. “I mean, super bad at it, so I apologize upfront if I say something awkward.”
“No apology is needed. I’m not so good at that game either. Honestly, Phillip practically twisted my arm to come to this party, but I’m not really into the party scene.”
“Me either,” I admitted, twisting to face him. “Can I be honest? I mean, like, brutally, probably totally inappropriately honest?”
“I’m intrigued and a little frightened. Please do.”
“I had a mad crush on you in college.”
“Yeah? Seriously?”
I nodded. “But you were dating Ursula, and well, she’s a goddess in human form, not that I would ever poach on another girl’s guy, but…I mean, I pretty much figured you two would get married and have lots of exquisite little children together.”
He sighed as he chuckled ruefully. “You can’t judge a book by its cover. I’m not going to tear Ursula down, but we weren’t a good match. It took me too long to figure that out, but I wish her well.”
“Please tell me something really gross about yourself because right now, you’re coming off as too damn perfect, and I know perfect doesn’t exist so…what’s your worst quality?”
“I’m a workaholic,” he admitted without hesitation. “And I’m told I snore.”
He could snore like a diesel engine getting ready to shift into overdrive, and I wouldn’t kick him out of bed. “I snore, too,” I shared, then realized that probably wasn’t very sexy. “Sorry…I do.”
“I’m a deep sleeper. I probably wouldn’t notice.”
Are we meant to be together?I was getting ahead of myself. I had to mentally shake those ridiculous thoughts free from my brain. “I’m not looking for anything serious,” I said abruptly. “I mean, not that you are or were thinking of anything like that with me, but I believe in being honest. I’m just looking for a hook-up, for fun, you know?”
Did I drop that truth bomb like a soggy ball of cheese into a punch bowl? I had as much grace as an elephant on skates.
