“I have plans this weekend.”
“And tonight?” he pushes.
“I…uh…I don’t know if I can do tonight, either. I’m sorry, Conner. Maybe some other time.” Rushing to Forever Grey, I open the door before he has a chance to interrogate me any further then drop off Bonnie without even bothering to say goodbye to Suzette as she grabs the leash from my hand.
I gotta get out of here.
Chapter Thirteen
Levi
“Dude. Charlie in those running shorts? Best sight I’ve seen in years. I shit you not.”
An image of my best friend in running shorts comes to mind, but instead of it being clouded with my usual best friend filter that I always try to keep in place, I see her as the woman she is.
Yeah. She’s fucking gorgeous.
“I’m glad you had a good time,” I reply, fighting the urge to be jealous. And failing. Bailing on Charlie sucked. I’ve been anxious all morning, riddled with guilt, and I missed my morning run with my best friend who looks phenomenal in exercise clothes. Yet, this asshat got to see her up close and personal. I grit my teeth and turn back to my paperwork.
“I did have a good time,” Conner replies. “Until she turned me down.”
Curiosity sparked, I peer up at him as he crowds my desk. “What do you mean?”
“This isn’t going to work if I can’t convince Charlie to even give me her number.”
“And how is that on me?” I ask, annoyed about the whole situation. I’m not exactly in the mood to hear Conner bitch and moan about his run-in with Charlie just because he couldn’t get her number.
Hell, the chase is half the fun, isn’t it?
“It’s on you because we have a deal,” Conner explains as if he’s talking to a toddler. “I need her to give me a real shot. And right now, that isn’t happening.”
“And what would you suggest I do?” I grit out, dropping my blue ballpoint pen onto my desk to give him my full attention. I can’t concentrate when he’s driveling on, anyway
.
“Talk to her. Figure out why so I can change it. Or even better, just give me her number, so I don’t have to keep running into her at random places.”
Nostrils flaring, I release a deep breath and say, “Fine. I’ll talk to her. Now leave me alone so I can get some shit done.”
He flinches at my aggressive response before staring at me like I’m a damn alien.
“You’re pissy this morning,” he notes after a few tense seconds. “What’s up?”
The metallic tang of blood explodes in my mouth from biting my tongue so hard to keep from yelling at him.
You trying to screw my friend, asshole. That’s what’s up this morning.
“Nothing,” I mutter. “Just a long night and a shit ton of work to do.”
“I get it, man. But remember, if you can get Charlie to give me a real chance, the job will be yours, and you won’t have to stress so much.” He slaps my back. “I’m gonna go get to work. Talk to Charlie. See what you can find out.”
Then he leaves with nothing but the smell of his cologne burning my nose and the bitter taste of acid flooding my mouth.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Pulling out my phone, I type up a quick message.
Me: Hey. What are you doing tonight?