That Secret Crush (Getting Lucky #3)(90)

“I wanted some advice, and the only time we could talk was early in the morning. Don’t worry, I bought him breakfast after and promised coffee from Ruth’s on me for the rest of the week.”

“That’s a good brother.” I toe the ground. “What kind of advice did you need?” I don’t know why I asked, really. Except that maybe, despite wanting to keep him at arm’s length, I also want a little more time with him.

His long lashes flutter open, and he tilts his head, studying me. “Romantic advice.”

My stomach falls to my toes, and nausea creeps up my throat. Is he going to start dating? I don’t think I would be able to handle watching Reid date someone else. And that’s when it hits me: maybe this is how he feels, hearing all the rumors about me seeing someone. That’s all they are, rumors, but he doesn’t know that, and I did nothing to ease the anxiety that must be raging through his mind about me dating.

“Oh. Starting to date again?” My breath catches in my chest as I wait for his answer. Honestly, Reid could date anyone in this town if he wanted to—despite what people say about the curse. If he asked someone out, they wouldn’t even blink before saying yes. He’s the whole package.

“No.” He shakes his head and chuckles. “How could I possibly date when I’m still hung up on you?”

“Wh-what?” I stutter in surprise. “But you broke up with me. If you were still hung up on me, why would you do that?”

He drags his hand over his face. “At this point, I don’t even know. But what I do know is that I want what we had.”

He can’t be serious. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more confusing man.

I shake my head. “You can’t keep running so hot and cold with me, Reid. Don’t you see how messed up that is? You want me, and then you don’t, and now you do? My heart can’t deal with that kind of indecision. This isn’t figuring out which spices you should put in a recipe—this is my heart you’re dealing with.”

“I know.” He takes a step forward, and I move back, letting him know to keep his distance. He stops, understanding, and says, “I’m going to make it right, Eve.”

Not sure what to say, I reach into my pocket and pull out some cash. I quickly do some math in my head and then hand him his payment for the lobsters. “That should be the right amount,” I say. His hand grazes mine as he takes the cash, lighting up a part of me that’s gone gray and dull.

He lingers and I let him. “I will make this right,” he says again, this time with more force. He pockets the money and goes back to his truck. “I’ll see you later, Eve.”

Lord help me, I don’t think my heart can take another roller coaster from Reid.



“Eve, is that you?” Reid calls out over the racket of the kitchen installation as I step into the restaurant. I look up and see him in the loft, hanging over the railing and waving frantically, as if he didn’t just see me yesterday. “Come up here—I want to show you something.”

Applications in hand, I head up the stairs that lead to the loft, marveling at the iron handrail and the open staircase, which leaves the space feeling airy rather than like a big block of stairs. When I reach the loft, which I’m surprised to find is much quieter, Reid greets me with a big smile, his large body blocking the view of what will soon be my permanent office space.

“Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Duh, because I have a surprise for you.”

“Did you really just say duh?”

Chuckling, he nods. “Humor me and close them.”

“I don’t know my way around the space with my eyes closed. What if I fall over the railing?”

“It’s insulting you think I’d let that happen. Here.” He takes the applications from me, sets them to the side, and then wraps his hands around mine, his large palms eclipsing my small ones. “I got you. Now close your eyes.”

Lost in the feel of his hands holding mine, I don’t remember to argue before I’m closing my eyes and allowing him to guide me through the loft space. My feet shuffle against the hardwood before my steps soften, and I realize we’re walking over a rug now. The smells of fresh paint and new furniture surround me, and with them, there’s a hint of Reid’s familiar, fresh scent.

“Okay, are you ready?”

“I’m warning you—if I open my eyes and find you naked, I’m kicking you in the crotch and leaving.”

I’m wrapped in his deep laugh. “If I was naked, I wouldn’t be cooking—I’d be a magician who could disrobe while holding someone’s hands. That’s a million-dollar Vegas show.”

“Or a quick ticket to jail.”

“Or that.” He chuckles. “But rest assured, I’m not naked. So go ahead, open your eyes.”

My eyes flutter open, and the first thing I see is Reid’s excited face, smile stretching from cheek to cheek, eyes sparkling with pure joy.

The next thing I see is the space.

My heart rate picks up as I take it all in. Large white desk with a matching white desk chair. Plush gray, white, and teal carpet, large built-in shelves and cabinets behind the desk with gold hardware. A brand-new Mac sitting pretty on the desk’s glass top, and a nameplate in gold and white staring back at me.