The Rules of Dating(13)

“Holden’s my buddy. We talk. Dude’s a talented drummer. Have you heard him play?”

“No.” I fiddled with the lid on my coffee. “Holden is cool, though. Owen seems like a stuck-up suit.”

“I would’ve thought that about Colby, too,” he said. “But you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

That was for damn sure. The first night I met Colby, I never imagined he had a little kid and was such a good dad. He looked like your typical hot player on the surface.

“Who’s the other one I haven’t met?” I asked. “What’s his deal?”

“Name’s Brayden. He’s some kind of business hot shot. Holden is the one who sticks out like a sore thumb—you know, the artsy, creative type. Kind of like someone else I know.” He winked. “But seriously, there had to be something in the water where they grew up, because the four of them are smoking hot and all successful in their own way.”

“Well, thanks for the insider info.”

“You can always count on me for that.” He grinned. “And my two cents.”

“That’s why I love you.” I stood up, stretched, and walked toward the door.

“So, I haven’t changed your mind about going out with the guy?”

“Afraid not.” I laughed. “Anyway, I’m gonna get going. I want to organize some stuff in the shop before my client this afternoon.”

After I hugged my friend goodbye, I took the stairs down since Deek’s apartment was just on the third floor. When I got to the bottom of the stairwell at the second level, my heel got stuck in a big crack in the cement, and I nearly fell flat on my face. I did skin my knee.

“What the fuck?” My voice echoed. “Who the hell is in charge of maintaining the floors around here? They should be fired! Crack’s bigger than the one on my ass!” I rubbed my leg. “Ow!”

The door to the stairwell opened. “Is everything o—” He paused. “Oh my God, Billie? Are you okay?”

I looked up to find Colby with his eyes wide as I lay on the ground. Shit. He reached his hand out to help me up.

“Yeah.” I shook my head, feeling kind of bad for yelling like that, considering the look of concern on his face. “I’m fine. But your building isn’t. There’s a big crack in the cement right here.”

“Yeah, I heard. Bigger than the one on your ass. I’m intrigued.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sorry. I was a little worked up. My heel got stuck, and I nearly face planted.” I bent to pick up my heel, which had broken off of my studded, black stiletto.

“Shit.” He looked down at my knee. “You’re bleeding.”

“You don’t say? It was either my knee or my face. The knee saved my teeth.”

“My apartment is right over there. Let me help you clean up.”

Feeling a bit frazzled, I nodded as he took my arm and led me down the hall. I had a first-aid kit down at the shop, but I guess I was curious about his apartment. Well, that’s what I told myself. Curious about the apartment.

Colby’s apartment looked surprisingly neat for someone who had a kid. Were it not for the plastic cup on the counter featuring Elsa from Frozen, I would have never known a child lived here. Brown leather furniture and sleek, modern décor made it look more like a bachelor pad, fit for the wild bachelor I was sure Colby used to be.

I looked around. “Nice place.”

“Well, the cleaning lady came this morning. Otherwise, you would’ve been greeted by an explosion of Lalaloopsy dolls in every corner of the room. So, things are deceiving today.”

“Lalaloopsy… Are those the freaky-looking dolls with the button eyes?”

“Yeah, I’m surprised you know them.”

“I had to tattoo one on someone once. And my friend’s daughter collects them.”

“I should introduce her to Saylor.” He laughed.

“Where is Saylor?”

“Preschool,” he answered as he rummaged through some cabinets. “She goes to a full-day program. I have a nanny who watches her after while I’m at work, but two days a week I come home early so I can be here when she gets home. I just work the remainder of the day from here on days like today.”

Such a good dad. “Oh, that’s cool.” I sighed, limping with my broken shoe over to the open kitchen area. “It must be tough juggling it all, huh?”

“Yeah. But it’s worth it.” He smiled as he lifted a plastic container out of one of the cabinets and shook it. “Bingo! Found the first-aid kit.”

He carried it over to where I was sitting on the stool. He sat down next to me and inched closer. His spicy cologne drifted toward me, and my body was all too aware of his proximity as he opened a bottle of peroxide, dabbing it onto a cotton ball before he began gently cleaning my knee.

“I’m really sorry you fell,” he said in a low voice.

“No worries. I’m sorry I yelled.”

“You had every right to. And I’ll make sure to get that ass crack in the floor repaired. I’ll reimburse you for your shoes, too. Although, I’m pretty happy for the excuse to spend a little time with you, even if it’s under the wrong circumstances.” He smiled. “Because, you know, someone didn’t want to go out with me. So this is the next best thing.”