Tuesday (Timeless Series #2) (6 page)

I rolled my eyes. “I’ve never met someone so full of himself.”

“Because a lot of people want to be full of me.” He winked again.

I growled then stormed off.

“Hey, get back here.” He put down the weights. “I was kidding.”

I came back but I was on my guard.

He turned serious. “Why do you want to go on a date all of a sudden? You made it clear you were looking for some meaningless fling.”

“Marie keeps pestering me about it, and…” I didn’t want to go into details.

“Does this have something to do with Hawke?” He didn’t seem irritated, not like he usually was.

“I saw him yesterday and some bimbo forgot her wallet at his apartment…it was awkward.”

“What did you expect him to do?” Kyle asked. “He’s single, right?”

“He can do whatever he wants.” That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

“Because you’ve been fucking around with me for months.”

I grew irritated. “I’m not mad at him, and he doesn’t owe me a damn thing. But it still hurts to see him with someone else, whether it’s meaningless or not.” I shook my head. “Why did I expect you to understand?”

“Whoa…hold on.” He raised both hands in surrender. “I’m not judging you. I’m just curious.”

“Have you ever been in love, Kyle?”

He stared at me for a long time before he answered. “No.”

“Then you wouldn’t understand.”

“You’re wrong about that…but whatever.” He racked his weights then approached me. “If you don’t want to have a relationship with me, why are you asking me out?”

“Because Marie ordered me to, and seeing Hawke…just reminded me that I need to move on with my life. How will I find someone if I never give anyone a chance?”

He nodded. “I like Marie.”

“She’s bossy and pushy.”

“I like bossy and pushy.”

“She’s marrying my brother,” I snapped. “She’s off limits.”

He chuckled. “Not what I meant, sweetheart. I like that she tells you the shit you don’t want to hear—that’s all.”

“So, you’ll do the double date thing with me?”

“It doesn’t sound like you even want to do it.”

“Because I don’t.” I was always honest with the men in my life. I never wanted to lead them on or give them the wrong idea.

He shook his head. “So much for giving someone a chance.”

“You already know how I am. We both know this isn’t going to go anywhere. But maybe this can be a baby step for me.”

“So it works out for everyone…” His voice was full of sarcasm but he was slightly amused.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “You don’t have to go. I know you aren’t looking for something serious either.”

“I wouldn’t mind doing something outside of sex,” he said. “You’re really cool. I thought so the moment you walked into the locker room and stared at my junk like it was the biggest piece of candy you’ve ever seen.”

I rolled my eyes and blushed at the same time. “Not my finest hour…”

“I thought it was sexy.” He leaned toward me. “Can I wink now?”

I rolled my eyes again. “Fine. Just don’t do it at dinner.”

***

Kyle was at my door right on time. He wore a collared shirt and slacks, much fancier than his usual attire. He took in my dress, and his eyes appreciated the sight. “I like that.”

“Thanks. You look nice too.”

“I know.” He had a smug grin on his face.

I walked out and shut the door behind me before he could wink or wiggle his eyebrows. “Marie and Axel are cool. You’ll like them.”

“I like everyone.” He put his arm around my waist.

He didn’t usually touch me outside the apartment, but I let the affection linger. “How was your day?”

“I woke up and played video games all day.”

“At least you relaxed.”

“Relaxed?” he asked with a laugh. “I was shooting people’s heads off and throwing grenades. I wouldn’t classify it as relaxing.”

“Then how would you classify it?”

“Stimulating.”

We headed down the sidewalk then reached the restaurant.

“So, Axel is your brother, right?” he asked.

“Yeah.” I walked inside and searched the tables.

“So…what do I do?”

“What do you mean?” I spotted them at a table in the corner but I turned to Kyle before we walked over.

“He’s your brother, so does that make this date serious? You’re introducing me to your family.”

“Oh.”
Now I understood
. “No, it’s not like that. Axel and I are friends as well as siblings. He won’t read too much into it.”

“You’re sure?” he asked. “He’s not a psychotic overprotective brother?”

“Nope. Now let’s go because I’m starving.”

We approached the table, and Marie immediately stared Kyle up and down. Then she gave me a quick smile that said everything her lips couldn’t speak.

I ignored her meaning. “Hey. This is Kyle.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He shook hands with Axel first.

“Likewise,” Axel said politely. He sized him up with his eyes, looking at his clothes and his shiny watch.

“I’m so excited to meet you.” Instead of shaking his hand, Marie hugged him like they were long lost friends. “I’ve been looking forward to this all night.”

“Oh…” Kyle’s lips stretched into a grin. “I’m glad someone’s excited. Whenever Frankie sees me, she just seems bored.”

“She’s just rough around the edges.” Marie laughed it off but she shot me a glare.

Kyle pulled out the chair for me before he sat down.

When I froze at his gesture, I realized it’d been a really long time since I went on a date. I almost didn’t know how to act. It was like I forgot how to date. “Thanks…” I lowered myself into the chair.

Axel stared at Kyle without bothering to be discreet about it.

Marie picked up her menu then turned it so the guys couldn’t see us leaning over the table and talking. “Damn, he’s really cute.”

“I know.” There wasn’t any doubt about that. When I saw him at the gym, I was immediately smitten.

“You did a great job finding him. He has really pretty eyes.”

Axel cleared his throat. “I have really pretty eyes too.”

Marie’s face reddened in embarrassment then she lowered her menu like nothing happened.

Kyle kept grinning like an idiot.

I looked at my menu and tried to act like this wasn’t incredibly awkward. “What are you getting?”

Kyle moved his hand to my thigh. “Not sure. What about you?”

I tensed when he showed me affection in public. It rubbed me the wrong way, and I couldn’t explain why. We were on a date so that’s what should happen but…something was off.

Axel glanced at Kyle’s hand then sipped his water.

“Probably the spaghetti.” I set the menu down.

“Maybe we can share a strand of pasta like that Disney movie.” He squeezed my thigh under the table.

“Maybe…”
I needed wine.

“So, Kyle.” Axel set his water aside. “What do you do for a living?”

Kyle answered the question in stride. “I run a—”

“Do not interrogate him.” I shot Axel a deadly look. “We’re here to have fun, not examine his resume.”

Axel glared at me. “I’m getting to know your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I didn’t mean to sound so harsh but it just came out.

“Ouch.” Kyle squeezed my thigh again like he was teasing me.

The waitress came and took our order, thankfully. It was nice to have something to do instead of just stare awkwardly at each other. But once she was gone, the gloom returned.

“As you were saying,” Axel said. “Before my bratty sister interrupted you.”

“She is a brat,” Kyle said with a laugh.

“I’ll second that,” Marie said with a raised hand.

I rolled my eyes in irritation.

“I own a law firm in Manhattan. It’s on Sixth and Broadway.” Kyle took a drink of his wine.

Axel obviously didn’t expect that judging the surprised look on his face. “You own a firm?”

“Yes.” Kyle remained humble about it.

“How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” Axel asked.

I narrowed my eyes on him. “Interrogation…”

“Baby, it’s fine,” Kyle said.

I didn’t like to be called that outside of the bedroom but I didn’t correct him.

“I’m thirty,” Kyle said. “My father was a lawyer, and he passed away a few years ago. His firm went to me and now I run it.”

“Oh…” Axel nodded in understanding. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“He and I were really close so it was hard,” Kyle said. “But working in his office makes it feel like he’s still there sometimes…” His voice trailed away.

My heart ached for him so I rested my hand on his.

When he felt the affection, he smiled and squeezed my fingers.

Marie grinned as she watched our interaction. “So, this has been going on for a long time.” She leaned forward on the edge of her seat.

Kyle turned to me. “You talk about me, huh?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I knew you were into me.”

“I tell her everything,” I said. “She’s my best friend.”

“How long?” Axel asked, his protective side coming out.

“About six months or so,” Kyle answered.

I wish he hadn’t said that.

“Six months?” Axel asked. “That’s a long time…” He turned to me with a disapproving look. “Why am I only meeting him now?”

“Because we aren’t serious,” I said. “Can we stop talking about Kyle and I now and just have fun?”

“You’re introducing me to your boyfriend,” Axel said. “I want to know more about him. It’s my job.”

I grabbed a piece of bread from the basket and threw it at him. It hit him right in the nose.

Marie covered her mouth and tried not to laugh.

“Don’t be annoying,” I said. “Now, let’s talk about something else.”

Axel wiped the crumbs off his face and pressed his lips tightly together. It was clear he was irritated but held his tongue because of Kyle.

“I heard you guys are getting married,” Kyle said. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Marie said. “We’re really thrilled about it.” She leaned toward Axel and kissed his cheek.

Axel softened up at her affection. “Yeah, I’m definitely marrying up. Marie has perfect legs and an even more perfect ass.”

I ignored that last comment.

“Have you been to Frankie’s shop?” Marie asked.

“I go in there pretty often,” Kyle said. “Sometimes to see her…and sometimes for her treats.” He gave me a flirtatious look.

I pressed my lips to his ear. “Don’t be gross.”

He moved his lips to my ear. “I’m being myself. I don’t give a damn if people dislike me for it.” Then he pulled away.

“How did you two meet?” Axel asked.

Marie immediately laughed then tried to hold it back. It came out as a quick snort that we all noticed.

Axel eyed her. “This should be good…”

Kyle turned to me and silently asked what I wanted to say.

“We met at the gym.” I didn’t elaborate further.

“You mean the locker room,” Marie teased.

I kicked her under the table.

“The locker room?” Axel asked.

Axel deserved the perfect woman to spend his life with, and Marie was that person. But sometimes it was a pain in the ass that my best friend was with my brother. I couldn’t just say anything around him. “I walked into the men’s locker room on accident…and I bumped into Kyle.”

“On accident my ass,” Marie jabbed.

Kyle put his arm over the back of my chair. “I don’t think it was an accident either.”

“Well, it was,” I said defensively.

“And then?” Axel raised an eyebrow.

Kyle took over. “Let’s just say she liked what she saw and asked me out on the spot.”

I didn’t know why I bothered hiding things from Axel. Since Marie was my best friend, it was nearly impossible.

Marie laughed. “Best story ever.”

“I really did go in the wrong room on accident.” I didn’t want people to think I was some weird creeper who didn’t understand boundaries.

“How is that possible?” Axel asked. “You know how to read, and you’ve been in the locker room before.”

“It was my first day at the gym, and I was a little lost,” I said.

“But I helped her find her way.” Kyle was enjoying this more than he should.

Marie clapped her hands in excitement. “I’m telling that story at your wedding.”

I kicked her under the table.

“Ouch,” she said under her breath.

“You tell people we’re getting married?” Kyle asked.