Crossing Paths (13 page)

As I push open the door, he is leaning against the counter, just finishing off a glass of water. His head is tilted back slightly, getting the last drop, before he swallows. I never knew drinking water while covered in sweat could look sexy. I close my eyes to limit the visual stimulation as I try to ward off the blush I feel creeping into my cheeks.

“You took your sweet time getting in here,” he states.

When I open my eyes, he is standing closer to me with his hip resting against the kitchen island.

I walk toward the door that leads to the backyard and pause briefly to face him. “Um, well, I had to traverse the mountain of holiday decorations in the entryway.”

Laughing, he steps toward me and places one of his hands against the door just above my shoulder as his opposite hand takes hold of my hip. Before I know what’s happening, my back is pressed tightly against the door.

“I was hoping we could talk tonight,” he says softly.

My heart begins beating quickly, and it feels like it’s in my throat. “Really?”

He nods and leans in closer to me, his nose brushing against the skin just below my ear. “Have you told June?” he whispers, touching his lips to my neckline.

Goose bumps rise all over my body, and I feel certain that I might faint at any moment. “No,” I respond in a voice so hushed that even I have trouble hearing it.

His lips trace the line of my jaw. Each time he moves to another place on my skin, the prior space feels numb and neglected. When I feel his hand tighten on my hip, my body tenses in response. Just as he is about to reach the corner of my lips, the doorknob turns, and the door jolts against my back. My eyes widen in concern, and Liam hangs his head, sighing in what seems like frustration.

He looks into my eyes as the door continues to shake, and then he nods his head toward the other door. Continuing to hold his weight against the door, he releases his body’s pressure from mine, and I walk slowly backward through the opposite doorway.

I hear a loud thud as the door closes behind me. As June begins yelling something unintelligible, I hold my hands over my mouth, attempting to stifle a laugh. Liam runs through the door at lightning speed, closely followed by June.

Although she stops when she sees me, she’s still yelling loudly. “One day you’re going to regret playing all these nasty jokes on me. I could have gotten a concussion! You are such a buffoon!” She clenches her teeth and stomps her foot like a small child. “Hey, Caroline. I didn’t know you were here.”

“Just got here a few minutes ago,” I say, trying to act nonchalant. Glancing up the stairway to the wooden railing across the upstairs loft, I catch a glimpse of Liam smiling.

“I’m thirsty. Let’s get a drink,” I say, giving Liam a small smile in return before I walk out of sight.

About twenty minutes later, we are all gathered around the table. The only difference from last week is that Liam is sitting opposite his father at the end of the table. This places him catty-corner to me, and it makes me nervous. I assumed by his actions at the baseball game that he wasn’t interested in more than a friendship with me, but based on what happened in the kitchen, I’m now feeling confused.

One thing is for sure—I’m going to have a tough time keeping my eyes off him with his just showered look complete with wet hair. When he walked into the dining room, I caught a glimpse of his crisp blue T-shirt and his gray sweatpants hanging low on his waist, and I came to the quick conclusion that this guy would look sexy in just about anything.

“Liam, are you trying to avoid my wrath by placing Caroline between us?” June asks, pointing at him with her fork.

“No, sis, and there’s no need for violence. I’m just practicing for adulthood, trying out the head-of-the-table business.”

“Well, it looks good on you, son,” Mr. D., responds, effectively ending the discussion.

Liam rests his foot against mine. His constant touch keeps me distracted throughout dinner, earning questioning glances from Addison. June eventually clues in to my unusually reserved nature.

“Are you feeling okay, Caroline?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I state simply.

“Are you sure? You’re really quiet tonight.”

“I’m okay. Just a little worried about my mom. I talked to her earlier, and I could have sworn she sounded like she had been crying. She said it was just a cold, but she was acting weird. I asked my brother about it, and he said he hasn’t noticed anything different about her.”

“Oh, it’s probably nothing to be too concerned about. Maybe she just misses you and didn’t want to tell you,” June’s mom suggests.

“Maybe,” I say before taking a drink of my water.

Liam sneaks in a quick squeeze of my knee as we are getting up from the table. I trip over the leg of my chair, barely keeping the contents of my plate in place. I swear that I have never acted like this before, and it has me out of sorts. As much as I want to spend time around Liam, I’m glad to join June upstairs as she gets her things.

“Hey, can you grab my flowers?” she asks, pointing toward the nightstand.

“Sure.” As I pick up the vase, I notice the card is missing from the plastic holder. “Did you throw away the card?”

“No,” she says, pulling it out from under her pillow.

“Even if you slept here last night, it would be strange to sleep with that under your pillow.” I smirk.

“Oh, shut it. I had to hide it when my mom walked in. I didn’t want to explain who they were from.”

She hands over the card, and I read it again as I slip it into the holder. “Who signs their name with an initial? Even rappers put forth more effort than that.”

“First of all, I wouldn’t have much insight into the way rappers sign their names. Second, the card is sweet, so I don’t care how he signed it.” June sticks out her tongue.

I laugh, and then we head downstairs to say a quick good-bye. Liam and Addison are nowhere in sight, but June’s parents are waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Her mom gives us each a hug and steps out onto the front doorstep as we walk to our cars.

“See you girls for dinner next week.”

“Alright, Mom. See you then,” June says loudly as she gets things settled into her car. I walk toward the street, and my phone chimes in my purse. Digging it out, I see Liam’s name, and I can’t help but smile.

“Is that a message from your boy toy at work? I expect full details when we get home!” June shouts from her driver’s side window.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” I reply.

I tap on the message.

I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you at the table next weekend. Are you going to tell June we’ve been seeing each other? —Liam

Not sure. It didn’t seem like you were too keen on informing Eli at the baseball game. —Caroline

We should talk. Let me know when you’re available. I’ll make time. —Liam

As I drive home, I think about the implications of telling my best friend that I am kind of, sort of dating her brother. I am beyond “Hey, do you think this would be okay?”, and I’m pretty sure I’m not to “It doesn’t matter what you say because I’m in love with him.” This is going to be tough, and I will have to tread lightly. Maybe I can test the waters tonight when we get home.

Monday

I’m beginning to worry about Caroline. Last night, she mentioned something at dinner about her mom, and I’m hoping everything is okay.

A few years ago, we had a scare with my mom when she had some weird pains in her stomach. When the doctor ordered scans, there were spots they weren’t sure about, so they ordered a few more tests. The process took several weeks, and of course, the entire family was throwing around the word
cancer
in hushed voices. That made the situation much more stressful. We were relieved when everything turned out normal.

I think Caroline is doing the right thing by trying not to worry too much—at least until she knows more. Although, I’m sure it’s weighing on her more than she wants to admit.

Last night, I tried to brighten her mood and get details about this new boy she’s went out with a couple of times. She all but blew him off as nothing, but I can tell it’s more than nothing. When she gets messages from him, she smiles and laughs like a giddy schoolgirl, making me think she might actually be into this guy. The only weird thing was that in the middle of talking about him, she asked me if we could meet Liam for lunch one day this week. I know how commitment-phobic she can get, so she better not try to avoid this new guy by making plans with me. I’m going to encourage this relationship even if it only lasts a few weeks. Considering the longest she spent with the same guy in college was a weekend, anything would be an improvement.

Alright, back to the task at hand.
I shouldn’t be thinking about Caroline this morning. I’m sitting in my office, typing and retyping a document. Every two seconds, I look out my door toward the entrance, waiting for a glimpse of Cohen.
I know, I know. It’s ridiculous.

This morning, Mr. Hargrove told me the three of us would be having lunch together, and it’s almost eleven o’clock already.
Oh crap!
I forgot to text Caroline to let her know that I can’t meet her for lunch today. Leaning down under my desk to retrieve my phone from my purse, I notice a slight scuff on my shoe. I rub my finger gently across it, but I’m only making it worse.
That’s awesome.
Now, I have officially caused a wardrobe malfunction.
Oh well, at least my hair cooperated this morning.

“June?” a familiar voice says.

It’s a voice I didn’t realize I had memorized.

I lift my head too quickly and bang the back of it on the edge of the desk. “Ow,” I whine, closing my eyes.

“Are you okay?”

Before I see him, I feel Cohen’s hand on my arm as I open my watering eyes. His hands are gentle and reassuring, but I curse myself for letting this be our reintroduction—and for possibly messing up my hair.

“I know I told you not to attack me, but that didn’t mean you should attack yourself,” he says while smiling down at me.

“I am so sorry. I should probably go to the restroom and take a look at this.”

“Here, let me. You probably won’t be able to see that far back on your head.”

He laughs, and I roll my eyes at him.

“Is it tender?”

“A little,” I say, wincing as his hands work their way through my hair to the spot where I hit my head.

“I think a little knot is coming up. If you start feeling tired or dizzy, you need to let me know. You might need to have it checked out.”

“Oh, I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” I say, trying to dismiss my clumsiness.
Is it ridiculous that I want to throw him onto my desk right now? Maybe I do have a head injury.
“Let me see if Mr. Hargrove is ready for lunch.”

I pick up the phone and dial my boss’ office number.

He answers after half a ring. “Yes?”

I’m taken aback by his abruptness. “Uh, Mr. Hargrove, Cohen is here. We were thinking about leaving soon for lunch.”

“I’m sorry, June. I won’t be able to make it. I’ve got an overseas conference call that’s been rescheduled for twelve thirty. Go on without me.”

“Oh, okay. We’ll see you this afternoon,” I say before hanging up the phone.