"Grey, there is someone on the phone for you at reception." Eloise crossed the salon to catch me before I entered the break room.
"Oh, thanks, I'm coming."
After greeting the client sitting in the waiting area, I picked up the phone. "Thank you for holding, this is Grey."
"This is Stefan." I heard the teasing in his voice. I had no control over the rather large smile that spread from ear-to-ear.
"Hey you! What, um … what's up?" My already buzzing system spiked and now my bones were practically shaking with the jitters.
"Well, I was wondering if my new friend would like to join me for lunch today."
"Oh … " I wasn't able to get another word out before Stefan piped up again.
"Before you say no! What if I tell you that not only do you not have to go anywhere for it, but I got your favorite?"
I bit down on my lip to contain my ever-growing smile, twisting my body so my back was all people saw of me.
"Oh yeah? And what exactly do you have planned?"
"Well, I just might be sitting in the salon parking lot."
I whipped my body around and gawked out the front door. Even though the parking lot was at the side of the building, it didn't stop me from casing the view in front of me.
"Are you seriously?"
"Maybe. If you think it's super weird and slightly stalkerish, then no. I'm not. However, if you were hungry and wanted to join me, then yes."
This time it was impossible to hold in the laugh bubbling deep in my chest.
"I'm starving!"
"Then get your ass out here, pretty girl! Our food's getting cold!" It was almost insane the way my entire body lit up with elation.
"On my way!" I slammed the phone down onto the receiver. I hadn't even noticed Kacie's sudden presence at the side of the desk.
"Who was … "
I couldn't even let her finish before I interrupted. "Taking my lunch! I'll be back!"
Her mouth hung open, as I dashed from the building. Almost instantly I spotted his sleek black car in the far back corner. Before I reached the door he slipped out, and for just a moment we stood there, grinning like idiots.at each other.
"Hi." He said with a smile.
"Hi," I replied. I swallowed back the overpowering feel of heart beating at the back of my throat.
"I have the take out boxes in my car. Do you want to just eat in there?"
"Is eating allowed in your very shiny, clean car?"
He smirked. "Never, but you're always the exception."
My cheeks flushed, as if I was nothing more than that shy schoolgirl all over again. "I'm so honored."
Stefan winked, motioning to the car to help us transition from standing awkwardly, to sitting. I was an absolute mess of nerves. I didn't know what to say, how to act, or what to do. Things with the two of us had always been so easy and uncomplicated. Right from that first day together we had been drawn to each other, and there was never a point trying to fight that fact. We did everything together and only felt situations to be unnerving when we weren't side-by-side.
Things were different. Fighting our friendship had been a fruitless task. Now though, we were faced with the issue of how were we supposed to interact. We had always belonged to the other. We would have had a moment of goofing around, and it would lead to our hands all over the other. Seeing Stefan without Richard even knowing about his place in my life was wrong. I was determined to insure no more lines were crossed.
Thankfully, Stefan was the first to take over the conversation. "So, I had a couple mac attack's delivered to my work, and I made sure they included extra sour cream."
My rumbling stomach was about to jump through my body and devour the burger on its own if I didn't eat it soon.
"It smells incredible, but you know this isn't going to be an easy smell to rid from the car, right?"
Stefan shrugged dismissively. "I don't care, it is so worth it."
Grabbing the first to-go box he set it onto my lap, opened it, revealing the mouth-watering creation of a sandwich. As delicious as it looked, nothing could tear my attention away from the brief, accidental touches Stefan made on my legs. It didn't seem intentional but it set a fire surging through my entire body. Focusing on the food and not that feeling was exceptionally more difficult than I ever would have figured.
I wasted no time diving into my burger. Not only was I ravenous, but I needed to refrain from saying something downright embarrassing. Even as I ate, my eyes became affixed upon Stefan. Watching him set up his food, pick off the tomato; muttering something about how they never remember to take it off. Even as he took a bite and began chewing, I ogled. His Adam's apple bobbed, causing my tongue to slide out, wetting my lips. I couldn't explain the twisting sensations deep in my body but I knew without question they were there.