Page 9 of Getting Down to Business

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Gray didn’t see Alyssa at the coffee shop on Friday morning, and wondered if she was avoiding him. He caught himself looking around, expecting to see her hiding behind a street sign or something.

By Friday afternoon, he found his wanting to see Alyssa again had turned into something a bit stronger. He headed out of the office a little early and sat on one of the benches outside their building. Waiting. He pulled a magazine out of his bag so he wouldn’t look so obvious, but he couldn’t fool himself. He knew exactly what it looked like. Stalking.

He would have missed her if she hadn’t spotted him and stood in front of him.

“I’m pretty sure you’re stalking me now,” she said with her brows raised.

“Who said I was waiting here for you?”

She gave one nod and walked away. Shit.

“Okay. Hold up. I was waiting for you.” She turned to look at him. “I wouldn’t have to resort to this if you’d just given me your damn phone number.” He smiled to let her know he was joking.

“What do you want?”

“It’s Friday. I’m not really looking forward to going to a club tonight. I thought maybe you’d like to give us another go. I live nearby.”

She rolled her eyes and walked away while mumbling something that sounded like, “One night means one night.”

Gray laughed and chased after her as her heels clicked down the sidewalk.

“How about a drink? I never got to buy you a drink.”

“No thanks. I have stuff I need to do tonight.”

“We were pretty efficient together. You would still have plenty of time.”

“Look. I’m sorry, but you have the wrong girl. I don’t do any form of relationship. Whether it be marriage or going for a drink, I don’t want any of that. I just wanted to have a good time and keep going.”

“Okay. Got it. Sorry I bothered you. I feel the same way, except I didn’t have a good time.” This made her stop walking. She turned on him, scowling. “I had a fantastic time. The best time ever.” He grinned and saw the corner of her mouth twitch slightly.

“I’ll allow that. It was somewhat fantastic. I’m still not interested in a repeat. I have too much other shit going on right now.”

“Sure. Fine. I get it. Take care, Liss.”

“You, too.” And with a small smile, she ducked down into the subway.

Why did he feel so strange watching her walk away?

He shook it off and went home to get ready for the bar. He wasn’t going out with Doug this time. He had plans to meet Trent and Tiffany. Nothing was more pathetic than being the third wheel. Hopefully, it wouldn’t stay that way for long.

He sighed, remembering how easy it had been to talk to Alyssa. How direct she was. Her honesty was even more of a turn-on than her long legs and size Cs.

“So you said you went out Wednesday?” Trent asked with his head cocked to the side. “It’s been a while since you’ve done that.”

“Yeah. It turned out great though. I met this woman who was funny and hot.”

“Wow. A funny, hot woman at a club,” Trent said with a wink at Tiff who had once been just a funny, hot woman at a club, but was now the love of Trent’s life.

“Her name was Alyssa, Liss. She actually works in my building.”

“That must be awkward,” Tiffany said as she pushed her fries toward Trent to share. Gray wished he had someone to share fries with.

“It’s not awkward. Well, except that I’d like to see her again and she keeps blowing me off.” Trent and Tiffany giggled at his comment, causing him to roll his eyes at their immaturity before laughing himself.

Two hours later, Gray bought another pitcher and sat down at the table.