Page 48 of Sharing Shadow Secrets (High Five Novella #6)
I loudly exhale, exiting Nicholas’s office, replaying every word Kyle just said. While he didn’t say that much, his body language, the vibe. He’s flirting with me. Or do I just wish that? I mean, I am the definition of sexual frustration right now. It’s been forever …
“Claire!” I say, excited, seeing her in a firefighter jumpsuit with a sash that says Mrs. August . “What is your sash referencing?”
“My fiancé. He’s a firefighter. They did a calendar shoot, and he’s August.”
“That’s cute! Can I have two waters, please?” As she pours me two glasses of water, I tap my phone, feeling anxious. It’s almost time to open the doors. My heart rate kicks up, and then I see Nicholas dressed as Santa. I deeply laugh, hoping Emily is Mrs. Claus.
I could take photos of them tonight and use it for promo for the next Christmas pop up.
“I see your wheels spinning, Taylor,” Nicholas says. “Emily and I are not dressing up for the next pop up.”
“Oh, come on!” I beg, and Claire slides the waters across the bar.
“Are we ready to open the doors?” Nicholas asks. Aaron and Claire nod from behind the bar. Then a couple of new people nod. Nicholas’s eyes lock with mine.
“Me and the vampire are ready,” I say, picking up the waters. Then I make my way back to Kyle. I kick the door a couple of times as a way of knocking.
“Trying to break the door down?” he asks with a laugh, opening it. He’s fully in costume, fangs and all. I extend a glass to him as I step in.
“My hands were full.” I blink a couple of times. The fangs are hot. Hotter than when I saw them in the photos.
He chuckles to himself, then taps his glass with mine. “Cheers.”
“Cheers to being the most hydrated ones here,” I quip.
“You’re not drinking?”
“Nah. I should stay fully alert.”
“This will be the first night I’ll ever fully remember at High Five,” Kyle says after a sip.
My mind drifts to how Kyle’s sober. Should I bring up Brandon? Do I need to bring up Brandon?
“You know …” Kyle starts, his big brown eyes glancing between each of mine. “We have a mutual friend.”
I giggle nervously at how we’re on the same wavelength.
“Ah.” He smiles, and we share a knowing glance. “Did he tell you I asked if you were single?”
“What?” I ask, the surprise making my pitch rise. I thought you liked guys!
“Oh …” Kyle shakes his head. “I just assumed since you knew who I was talking about that you two talked about me asking that.”
“I assumed some things too …”
“Like?” he asks, dragging out the word.
“I thought you were gay.” As I say it, I grimace.
Kyle chuckles. “You stalked me, huh?”
“Guilty.”
“I stalked you too, Taylor Williams.”
My heart’s racing, but no. You’re not flirting with Kyle Rathbone. “Well … you should know that Brandon and I are kind of dating now.”
“Fucking or dating?” he asks, too casually.
“It’s complicated … but not in the way you’re probably thinking. He wants me to be his girlfriend, and I told him once I have four clients, I’m ready. I have three and am anxiously awaiting a signature on a new client and then we’re going to be boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Way to overshare, Taylor. But he’s making me feel flustered. He’s just deeply staring at me.
“I’m guessing you know about us?” he asks, his lips curling into a smirk. He’s unphased by this entire conversation. Well, maybe he’s enjoying it.
I nod, my mind flashing to both of them being naked together. Then I refocus.
“I’m surprised he told me that you were single then …” he trails off, squinting his eyes as he does.
“We’re complicated.” I shrug, feeling a lot of energy coming from Kyle and needing to get out of this office. “I’m going to check in with the photographer and take some content for social and then be back to grab you.”