Beyond Doubt (8 page)

“Hey, Brandy. You doing okay?” he teased, leaning over the cubicle.

Decker transferred to our division around the same time as I arrived, and I enjoyed his sense of humor. His dark hair, chiseled features, and hazel eyes weren’t bad to look at either.

“Yeah. Why?” I glanced back at my email to see if any new messages arrived and it looked all clear.

“You kind of look like you saw a ghost.”

“Just got a random email that was meant for spam.”

Decker started laughing, and I couldn’t help but notice how strong his forearms looked in the rolled-up shirt he wore. “Some of those can be pretty spicy. Just don’t click on them…whatever you do.”

“I’ll try to remember that.” I grinned.

Why couldn’t I be into Decker? He’s available, friendly, and hot…in a newly-minted college graduate kind of way. Aaron, however, exuded an entirely different persona. He was full of confidence, and he wasn’t that much older than Decker. Somehow, Aaron’s mannerisms conveyed an entirely enticing way of thinking and being. I also had to admit to myself the deception was a little intriguing, which added mystery in a way that wasn’t explainable…

And shame on me!

I had done great all last week.

“I was just checking to see if you’d like to do lunch? A new pizza place opened up that offers lunch specials by the slice.” Decker smiled, and I noticed the flicker of more behind his eyes.

“Totally. What time you wanna head out?”

“11:30 work?”

“Perfect.” I gave him a quick wave and watched him wander back to where his cubicle was hidden.

Exactly what I needed. I turned my attention back to the file I was organizing that contained everyone’s itineraries as Gabby came out of her office beaming. I couldn’t help but smile. There was no way I was envious of her, only confused about my own choices.

“Nice conversation about cheese?” I teased.

She leaned over my cubicle, a dreamy expression plastered on her face as she rested her elbows on the plastic wall.

“There is something so familiar about Jason. Like we can talk for hours and it never gets old.”

“Sounds like how it’s supposed to be,” I reminded her.

“I know I’m still in the honeymoon stage, but I hope that it never ends.”

“Something tells me it never will.”

“Wanna do lunch today?” Gabby asked.

“I would but Decker just asked. You want to come with us?”

She smiled and nodded knowingly. “No. I don’t want to be the third wheel.”

“It’s not like that,” I whispered. “It’s totally professional.”

She shrugged, still grinning. “Listen, who knows when and where love will…”

“Enough.” I shook my head. “Not happening with Decker.”

“Well, when that attraction does happen, don’t ignore it, my friend. We’ve only got one shot at this life.” She patted her chest where her borrowed heart resided, and I had to push down the lump that formed in my throat. She really did have a different view of things than most.

“Promise.” I rose my hand in a pledge and smiled. “One more thing.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you promise me you’ll be extra careful on your bike?”

“I’m always careful.”

“I know, but I just want you to be extra cautious.”

“For you, anything,” she vowed, winking. “Okay, off to grab a coffee. Need anything?”

“Nope. I’m set.”

I glanced at the clock and only had about an hour to run through everything I wanted to get done before lunch. I made my rounds, dropping off mail and picking up a few small business requests along the way.

Decker was waiting near my cubicle when I returned. He was leaning against the wall, and I had to admit that he really did know how to dress well. He finished an email on his phone and glanced up when I’d grabbed my purse.

“My treat,” he said, ushering me toward the elevators.

“No way. You did that last time. I owe you.”

We stepped into the elevator and the cart glided down to the lobby. Once the doors opened, I stepped into the large space that bustled with people as the noon hour became closer.

“I think I’ll owe you one after this lunch.”

I turned to face him and raised a brow. “What does that mean? Did this place get really bad reviews or something?”

“No. I just. You’ll see.”

I stopped mid-stride and turned to face Decker.

“What are you not telling me that you obviously want to tell me?”

His eyes fell to the marble floor and then moved up to a large ficus tree near the security guards.

Decker still didn’t speak, so I lightly punched him in the arm. Maybe this was a date. “I’ll let you buy. Now let’s get going before the place fills up. Lead the way.”

I followed him down the hill and over two blocks before seeing a large outdoor eating area that was nestled in between two towering skyscrapers. It was filled with people drinking coffee and eating all sorts of food. I spied frozen yogurt, sandwiches, burritos, and burgers scattered on people’s trays. How did I not know about this spot? It was lunch hour heaven.

“Is that the place we’re headed?” I asked.

“It is. There are over ten restaurants and cafes lined up in that little atrium area so if the pizza place doesn’t look so hot we can always grab something else.”

Decker looked a little uneasy, and I realized this might be a lot more than I realized. I totally needed to give him a break.

As we wove through the patio tables and lines of hungry people, we made it to the corner pizzeria, Bella Pies.

“This the place?” I asked, standing next to him.

“It is.” He reached into his pocket and dug around. “I don’t have my wallet.” He slapped his head. “I left it on the desk.”

“No sweat. I’ll pick up the tab.”

“I can’t let you do that. Just buy your own slice and I’ll be right back.” He wouldn’t look me in the eye and took off before I even had a chance to relay how ridiculous that was.

“Next,” the cashier called.

Realizing I was that person, I ordered a slice of garlic chicken and spinach pizza and paid. I stepped to the side of the counter and wondered what in the world had gotten into Decker. When my order was called, I grabbed the tray with the slice of pizza and cheese bread and found a place to sit. I felt awkward as couples and groups were taking up tables all around, and I hoped Decker would hurry up and reappear. Plus, I didn’t want my pizza to get cold.

Snagging a sliver of spinach off the top, I slurped it up and delighted at the lack of manners I displayed when no one was looking. I had never actually been to this area of the city before and noticed the amount of techies that congregated rather than the suits, and then a rumbling laugh interrupted my people watching.

“Is this seat taken?” An all too familiar voice from behind wrapped around my body. The spike of excitement I felt was out of this world.

I turned around to see Aaron standing with a tray that held two slices of pizza and garlic bread. His smile was absolutely adorable and revealed a line of perfectly straight teeth. He was one of the suits, dressed impeccably in some designer I’d never guess, but Lily would be all over. The wind ruffled up the corner of his suit jacket as I sat staring, speechless. His brow arched up and his smile turned into a smirk.

“Well?”

“Sorry. I mean yes. It’s taken. I’m here with a coworker.”

“Decker?”

“How did you know who I was here with?” I responded, trying to keep my voice neutral.

He slid his tray onto the table, unbuttoned his jacket, and sat across from me with such quickness that I was stunned. His brows pulled together as he removed the napkins from under the plate, still not responding. The rays of sunlight that managed to sneak in between the buildings danced off his eyes, warming them up as he looked up at me.

“You’re going to have to find another place to sit. Decker went back to grab his wallet and…” As the words left my lips, I rolled my eyes. Man, I was gullible. I glanced around the patio and back at Aaron.

“Decker worked on one of the teams in my division.” He took a sip of water. “Before he transferred to yours. Good kid.”

“Kid?” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure he’d love to hear himself be referred to that way.”

“He’s got a lot to learn. His maturity level is—”

“About as great as Cole’s,” I interrupted.

Aaron’s gaze caught mine and his mouth parted only to shut quickly.

“You look completely out of place.” I grabbed my fork.

“Doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t bother you.”

I shrugged and took a bite of the pizza. It was delicious. Not as delicious as looking at him, but it would have to do as I stared at my plate, determined not to be swayed.

“You have my number. Why didn’t you just call me?” I asked.

“Would you have answered?”

I couldn’t help but smile at the obvious and felt my belly tighten as his eyes darkened with intent.

“Thanks for the flowers,” I said, grinning. “But that wasn’t very tactful considering…”

“I didn’t send you any flowers,” he said, bewildered.

“Oh. I just thought it was you,” I said, completely mortified.

“The old send-flowers-to-yourself trick,” Aaron laughed. “I think the person you’re taunting is supposed to be in the office to see it or it doesn’t quite have the same impact.”

“Very funny.” But the uneasiness began to creep up each vertebra as I thought about who might have sent the flowers.

“So why did you delete my email without opening it? That’s a bit rude, don’t you think?” His eyes pinned me against an imaginary wall, and it was all I could do not to slink away. “I won’t go away that easily. And I don’t think you want me to either.” His gaze drilled into me as he watched my cheeks ignite.

“I saw the direction the email was heading and didn’t want to waste my time. And don’t be so certain.”

“Direction the email was headed?” he questioned, ignoring my confession.

“Cole. There
is
no Cole. He’s my brothers’ friend and contrary to what he may have told you, I have never been nor would I ever be involved with him.”

“I realize you have some internal code about not being with him because he’s a friend of your brothers, and not entertaining the idea of us because I’m the brother of your best friend. But I think…”

“There is no code with Cole. I just don’t like him. End of story.” I dropped my slice of pizza and wiped my hands on the napkin.

“So you have no code when it comes to dating friends of your brothers, but you do have a code when it comes to me?” My eyes fell to his lips and my traitor of an imagination pictured his mouth tracing down my collarbone. I shook my head to squash the vision. His eyes were full of amusement when I looked back up, and I swore he knew what I was thinking. The tension between us was almost unbearable, and I caught myself shredding my napkin under the table.

“That’s not what I meant. Of course, I wouldn’t date my brothers’ friends, but it also happens that I don’t like Cole. He’s lazy and he gives me the willies.”

“The willies?” Aaron’s laughter caught the attention of some of the techies in line, and I couldn’t help but smile. “So quite possibly, it sounds like I don’t give you the willies, which is in turn why you enacted your code with me. You needed some forsaken reason to keep me away.”

He was wearing me down. He knew it and I knew it. And I no longer cared as he watched me closely.

“There is no code. And I think we both know why I’m keeping you away.”

“I don’t think you should hide us from my sister,” Aaron continued.

“There
is
no us.” I fumbled with my napkin as my heart started pounding.

“Not yet. But there will be.”

His frankness was disarming and so was his intent. There was no escaping from him this time, and I’d be lying to myself if I tried to run anyway. It no longer seemed as if we were in the middle of a lively city. It felt like it was only the two of us on the patio as his eyes bored into me, stilling everything around me but my hammering heart.