Page 11 of Faking Ties
“Do you want anything?” I ask Brian.
He doesn’t look at me as he shakes his head, still scanning the room. Maybe he’ll want one later? And Stella, too.
“I’ll also take a latte and two more cinnamon buns to go,” I say to the person at the register.
No one looks twice at me as I pay and wait off to the side for “Ella” to be called.
“Think you have enough cinnamon buns?” a voice says from my left. I glance up and do a double take not at all expecting to see Hunter here.
He’s not trying to disguise himself like I am. He’s wearing a floral shirt, which should look ridiculous but unfortunately doesn’t, and tight black pants. Or are they jeans? Wait, is he wearing jeggings? Do they make those for men?
Either way, the jeggings (my best guess) hug his muscular legs to perfection. His considerable package is like a beacon. And I can’t help but stare at it and wonder if he has enough space for what I’m assumingis a massive dick based on the outline I’m seeing. Or is his dick being strangled, all for the sake of fashion?
“Are you done checking me out?” he asks, stepping into my space. He’s a little too close for a casual meeting between strangers. He’s also a little too close for my heated body to handle after thinking about his package, but I don’t move away. If anything, I take a small step closer to him.
Shit, no, I need to act like Stella. But I don’t have a clue where to start with that. I take a small step back, trying to figure out what to do.
“I wasn’t checking you out.” I force my gaze up to meet his eyes.There, that feels like something Stella would say.But before I can stop myself, I stupidly continue and say, “I was just wondering how much tighter your pants can get without cutting off circulation to your dick.”
He chokes on his coffee and laughs so loudly it draws the attention of the entire coffee shop our way. Not good; I need to be flying under the radar after last night. Willpower and intentions apparently mean jack shit when Hunter’s around. All I had to do was stop talking and I couldn’t.
It takes him a few minutes to compose himself, and when he does, he gives me a scorching look. “I like that you’re thinking about my dick.”
I ignorethatcorrect comment and say, “I’m actually surprised you’re wearing jeggings. I didn’t think they made those for men.”
“Jeggings?” He laughs again. “Fuck, I’m going to have to tell my stylist that I can’t wear these pants again.”
“Or, and hear me out, what if you wore only that type and mystify the media about the material.”
“That’s actually a good idea.”
I grin and take a sip of my drink. Why is it so fun to talk to him? “So, what brings you here?”
“I heard you live in the area and was hoping to run into you.”
“That’s not stalkerish or anything.”
“Not at all.” Hunter winks. “But I’m glad I caught you.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“Because you owe me a dinner for helping you. Are you free tonight?”
Now it’s my turn to choke on my coffee. “Or maybe you owemea dinner for putting up withyoulast night.”
“Then let’s owe each other. Shall we say seven tonight?”
Hunter is making my life more complicated by the minute. Not only does my weak Stella mask slip when he’s around, but I can’t make any decisions about Stella’s life without asking her for permission. I don’t want to be in a situation like last night again and headlining the tabloids because of my actions. And going to dinner with Hunter when Rachel wants it all to blow over? Even I know that’s a bad idea.
“Oh, um.” I take out my phone. I have to message Stella. “Hold that thought.”
“What are you doing?”
“Being kind of rude.” I cringe. “And that’s normally not like me, but I just remembered something super important, and well, I can’t let it go and…” I trail off not sure what else to say. Normally I’m interrupted by now, and it’s weird that he’s listening to me ramble without cutting me off.
“Okay?” He takes a sip of his drink and watches me intently.
I push the bag of cinnamon buns into his chest and one-handed text Stella. Turning the phone away from him, so he can’t read over my shoulder, I really hope I don’t look as awkward as I feel.
