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“You don’t want to hear it.”
“Yeah, that’s probably true.” I wished I could talk to Bradley, but letting him in that far was crossing a line that really shouldn’t be crossed. “It’s past closing time. Isn’t he picking you up?” I didn’t miss how he avoided saying Alfie’s name.
“No, Alfie’s working late tonight,” I took another sip, eyeing the blue car thoughtfully.
“Then can I take you somewhere?” I flicked my gaze to his and found his expression open and kind as always.
“‘Take me somewhere?’ You know that sounds like you’re planning to kill me, right?”
He laughed out loud and ran a hand through his hair, his t-shirt lifting slightly as he did and revealing a few inches of tanned torso. For a wicked moment I allowed myself to imagine him working outside with his shirt off, his jeans riding low enough for the V of his hips to show.
“Sorry, I just meant for an actual drink. A grown up drink.” He flicked my milkshake playfully. His eyes were warm and full of everything that was familiar to me. I was surprised by how much I wanted to say yes, how much I longed to spend time with a man who was just so…easy. But guilt filled me at the thought of it and I had to look away.
“That’s sweet of you but I can’t, I need to get home.”
“You’re worried Alfie would find out, you mean.”
I paused, not really sure how to answer.
“There is that.” I stood, feeling as though I was betraying Alfie by even sitting near Bradley. It was impossible not to compare them.
Bradley smelt of the outdoors, Alfie smelt like the citrus fruits that played the top notes of his cologne.
Bradley wore muddy work boots, Alfie wore Armani Loafers.
Bradley’s eyes were friendly and open, Alfie’s were cold and calculating.
Bradley stood, mirroring my movement to lean against the other van door. They kept us hidden from the world on either side of us. He folded his arms, his muscles bunching and flexing with his movement. He studied the ground and kicked at the gravel with the toe of his boot. He was quiet for a long moment before he finally spoke.
“Lo, what if I was to make a play for you?”
“Make a play for me?”
“Yeah,” he shoved his hands in his pockets and gave me a small smile. “I’m not the ‘slam you up against a wall’ type. I’m not going to follow you around or get angry if you talk to someone else. But what if I was to, I don’t know, court you a little bit?”
Court me?I looked at the sweet man in front of me and wondered how I was going to turn him down. Did he have any idea how much his words pained me?
“Bradley…”
“I know you have this thing going with Alfie?—”
“No, it’s not that. Or rather, it’s not only that,” I stammered and sighed. His gentle brow creased and I floundered. I found myself wishing he could court me, wondering what it would be like, but I shook those thoughts out of my head, forcing them away. “I’m leaving. I handed in my notice a few days ago.” He was silent, his gaze steady as he looked me over. It was strange to be looked at without feeling like I was being eviscerated.
“Why are you leaving?” He didn’t seem angry that I’d just shot him down like most men would be. I took another long sip of my shake, trying to buy myself time to find the right words.
“That isn’t exactly decided yet. I mean, I’ve had a few opportunities come up and I haven’t decided which one I’m taking yet, but either way I’m leaving next weekend.”
He tilted his head, looking me over again.
“You got into college, didn’t you?”
My jaw dropped.How the hell did he figure that out just from looking at me?“I can’t…How did you…Well, you don’t seem surprised!”
“I’m not.” He shrugged his shoulders as if it was a given that I would get in. “What’s the other option?”
“It’s complicated.” I took another sip of my shake and tried to make myself less readable. I really didn’t need another man inside my head.
“Does complicated translate into Alfie Tell by any chance? He doesn’t want you to go?”