If I Told You (16 page)

“I could’ve.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Flynn flashes his bright blue eyes at me. “Honestly? It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. You’re so sexy, and your body is... you fucking know.”

I nod, smiling.

“But like I’ve told you before, I can’t take advantage. I can’t use you for sex, even though, fuck, Brooks, you had me so turned on last night. Rubbing your ass all over my dick.” He sighs. “I can’t even talk about it.”

“You’re sexy too, Flynn. Sometimes I look at you and see the man you are instead of my best friend. I just got carried away last night. I’m sorry.”

He leans over and kisses my cheek. “No harm done. We’re good.”

“Yeah, we’re good.” Looking down, I notice the bulge straining against his sweat pants and sigh.

“I’m gonna get out of here,” he says, softly, noticing my hungry stare.

“Okay.”

After he leaves, I fall back in my bed. Damn.

As I hurry down the hall to my bedroom and away from hers, I can’t stop thinking about her. That body, her mouth, those eyes staring at my package. As if last night didn’t nearly kill me, now she’s tempting me again. I just wish I understood why now. What changed?

Once in my room, I lie down on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I guess if I’m honest, there’s always been a sexual undercurrent between us, but it wasn’t voiced, never discussed, and definitely wasn’t as obvious as it has been recently. There was a line that never got crossed. It feels like it’s coming to a head all of a sudden, and I don’t get it. She gets a man and then goes into overdrive wanting me? Doesn’t make any fucking sense. What does she expect me to do? Fuck her and then pretend like it didn’t happen? If it was that easy, I would’ve done it years ago. If we could be fuck buddies, I’m sure we would be, but there’s no way. There’s too much between us now. Besides, I have a feeling that one taste of Brooklyn would never be enough. That’s why Rhys wants her so badly. He knows.

All I know is the smartest thing I can do for my relationship with Brooklyn is to stay away from any thoughts of fucking her. It just cannot happen. Not now. Not ever.

An hour later, I walk out to the living room to find Brooklyn cleaning up from last night. She looks up, smiling.

“Hey, you,” she says.

“Hey. Need some help?”

“No, I got it. Going out?”

“Yeah. I’m gonna go check out a new bakery in Queens. I might want to order some pastries from them for the restaurant. Want to come?”

“I wish I could, but I’m teaching a class today for Bridget.”

“Cool. I’ll see you later then.”

“Yeah. You’ll see me later.”

I always hug her before I go, but I hesitate, not wanting to get that close to her again.

“I’m not gonna bite you, Flynn.”

I laugh. “I know.”

She approaches with her arms extended, and I walk into them. “We’re good, right? Nothing’s changed?”

I hold her tight and kiss the top of her head. “Right. Nothing’s changed.”

Stepping back, we gaze into each other’s eyes, both of us knowing that’s a fucking lie.

Right before Flynn leaves, my phone rings and I grab it without looking at the caller ID. “Brooklyn.”

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Hey, Rhys.” Flynn immediately stops walking toward the door and watches me when he hears me answer.

“Busy?”

I sit on the couch. “Not too bad. What’s up?”

“Well, I just got invited to a restaurant opening in Brooklyn,” he says. Chuckling, he adds, “So I thought I’d take Brooklyn to Brooklyn.”

I laugh shaking my head. “Funny.”

“It’s a table for four, and I thought perhaps you could invite Flynn.”

I crinkle my brow, shifting my eyes up to Flynn. “Why would I do that?”

“He’s a chef and they love to eat at new places. We could double date.”

“What are you up to?”

“Can I be honest?”

“That would be best.”

“He’s your best friend and since we’ve been spending time together, I thought it would be nice if he and I got to know each other better.”

“Uh huh.”

“He could see I’m a nice guy that has nothing but good intentions toward you.”

“I see.”

“Nothing wrong with that, is there?”

“I guess not.” I stare into space for a second, then lower my voice. “So you’ve forgiven me for my slip up the other night?”

“I told you I would still call.”

“You did. I’m glad you did.”

“Why?”

I watch Flynn as he goes into the kitchen. “I like you, Rhys. I really do.”

I hear him his exhale. “I really like you too, Brooklyn. I want more.”

“So do I.”

“Then we’re on the same page.”

“We are.”

“Sunday night. Find out if Flynn wants to come and if he can find a date.”

“He can find a date. I’ll text you later to confirm.”

“Great. Have a good day.”

“You too.”

After hanging up, I stare at my phone for a minute waiting for Flynn to come back.

“Hey,” he says coming back. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. That was Rhys.”

“Uh huh.”

“He wants to see if you’d be up for a double date on Sunday. He’s been invited to some new place in Brooklyn and thought you might enjoy it.”

“Interesting.”

“I thought so. He said he thought you and him should get to know each other.”

“Hmm. What do you think?”

I smile. “I think he thinks there’s something going on between us and he wants to witness our relationship close up.”

Flynn chuckles. “That’s what I think, too.”

“So, we’ll show him there’s not.”

“Works for me. I need a date.”

“What about Jill?”

“Yeah okay. Make it happen for me.”

“Will do.”

“Maybe after Sunday he can finally get it out of his head that I’m no threat to him.”

I nod, wondering if I should admit why Rhys is so worried, but decide against it. “Let’s hope.” I stand up, walking toward him. “If anything, it should be interesting.”

“Definitely.” Flynn’s eyes seem to search mine, and I’m reminding of the words we just said. Nothing’s changed. “I should get going,” he says, breaking the silence.

“Me too.”

“Let me know what Jill says.”

“Of course.”

He lightly pinches my chin. “Have a good day.”

“You too.” I watch him leaving wondering if he knows we both told a lie. Something has definitely changed.

Once I get to the studio, I walk inside and see Jill checking out with a customer. When she’s done, I lean on the counter. “Doing anything Sunday night?”

“No. What’s up?”

“How would you like to go on a double date?”

She grins. “A double date with who?”

“Me, Rhys, and Flynn.”

“Holy shit. Are you serious?”

“Very.”

“Girl, you know you don’t have to ask me twice. I’m there.”

I laugh, shaking my head. It should be an interesting night for sure.