Page 40 of Sizzle
“What?”
“You asked me if I trust Elliot,” I say. “Do you?”
His smile vanishes.
“He’s my closest friend,” says Alex.
“That’s not an answer.” Except it is. It’s just not the one I expected.
“I trust Elliot in this,” he says carefully. “Of course I trust him.”
But not with everything. Alex is holding something back and it makes me burn to find out what he’s hiding.
“Just promise me one thing,” he says. “Promise me that you’ll consider it.”
I snort. “It’s not likely to slip my mind any time soon.”
“Yeah?” Alex leans in closer. “You like the idea.”
“There’s not a woman alive who wouldn’t like the idea of having two hot guys to herself,” I can feel myself blushing again. “Straight woman, anyway.”
“Hot, huh?” Alex nuzzles my cheek.
“Shut up, you know you’re gorgeous.”
“I’m nothing compared to you, sunshine,” he breathes. His lips brush mine once, twice. “Say yes, Joelle. Let us have you.”
13
Elliot
The speed bag is still vibrating. Damn near took the thing off its hook this round but I can’t seem to care. I’ll buy him another one if I have to.
Six rounds already. I don’t even know how long I’ve been out here. By rights, I ought to be freezing but my shirt got soaked with sweat a while ago so I took it off. I know it’s cold—I can see my breath. His garage isn’t exactly a cozy health club. Right this minute, it’s exactly what I need.
Joelle’s hit a home run with her menu. The local paper called me out of the blue for an interview about “the blogger who transformed the Duckbill,” thanks to the tons of new customer reviews online. It’s not just the menu—hell, they love her. Half the time I have to go drag her out of the kitchen to meet our regulars so they can tell her how she should strike out on her own and put me out of business. I laughed the first time I heard the joke.
I can’t laugh about it anymore. It’s two weeks to deadline, and I don’t have even half the money I owe Mrs. Miller.
But we can’t quit. This is still the busiest season of the year, and hey, who knows? I believe in Christmas miracles.
I never have before, but fuck it. What have I got to lose?
Besides Joelle.
I scrub my towel across my face and throw it on the bench. The heavy bag this time, I think.
He sent her flowers. Why the hell didn’t I think of that?
I should be mad at him for that, but in truth I’m only pissed I didn’t think of it first. Which is weird but the way the last few weeks have gone, weird is my new normal.
On the bright side at least, if Duckbill goes under, Joelle won’t be my employee anymore. I’ll be able to ask her out then.
The bright side? Jesus.
He came and picked her up from work yesterday, after sending those flowers. Really, she’s better off with him and I know it. I’m happy for them—really, I am.
The bag swings back my way, damn near knocking me over.