Business Casual (Lovelight, #4)

by B.K. Borison

“I meant to text you,” I say quietly, keeping my voice low. “About what?” “Tonight.” Her face twists in confusion. “What about tonight?” “I wanted to ask if you were okay with this. After…everything.” “Everything, huh?” She presses up on her toes to glance over my shoulder, then falls back to the flats of her feet. Checking, I think, to see if anyone is within hearing distance. A coy smile curls her lips. “Have I been on your mind, Charlie?” That feels like an understatement. She’s been circling there. I was buttoning my shirt this morning and caught a glimpse of a hickey on my hip in the mirror. I stared into space for thirty-eight seconds, half hard, the desire to be back in that bed with her so fierce it felt like a fist in my chest. I halve the space between us until she has to tilt her head back to hold my eyes. “I told you,” I tell her, voice low. “Alarming frequency and incredible detail.” I reach for the braid hanging over her shoulder and tug lightly. “Even better detail now.” Her eyes flash and a smile kicks up one side of her mouth. I drop her braid. “You sure it’s okay I’m here?” “Of course it’s okay. We said nothing would change, Charlie. You’re allowed to come to dinner at my parents’ house.” “I know what we said, but I don’t want to intrude,” I murmur. I don’t know the protocol for how to interact with a one-night stand that is also your friend. I’ve never had to do it before.