Truth or Date(3)

“You’ll be missing out.” Turning around to leave, her voice sang the words as if issuing a grave warning.

Wrapping my arms around my chest, I watched her saunter down the hall and wondered how she’d gotten me all riled up.

I spent the rest of the afternoon emptying never-ending boxes at the condo—moving the rest of my stuff from the apartment went smoothly, thanks to George being at work. For dinner, I ordered a pizza but Kristen opted to stick with her protein shakes which, in my opinion, were void of any flavor.

While eating/drinking our perspective meals, Kristen told me she’d left a message for Ethan and was waiting to hear back from him. Then, she and I battled over the TV remote, finally compromising on a historical documentary (her choice, such a snoozer) and then a reality dating show (my choice, completely engaging). While watching twelve hopeful guys compete over one girl, I suddenly pictured myself as the bachelorette with Chris and an imaginary Ethan as the final candidates vying for my attention.

My body shuddered.

Rachel’s absurd suggestion that I date Chris Bradley must’ve affected me on a molecular level because I’d certainly never partake in a dating game. Between a man interested in a lifelong commitment and the other going for short-term fun? No contest. I’d only take a chance on Ethan.

Assuming he called Kristen back, of course.

The fact that my mind had even entertained the idea of Chris? Ridiculous. He could be the sweetest, most undeniably handsome man in the world, but the way he ran through girls told me to steer clear. Tingles over a hot guy would not divert me from my goal ever again.

****

The next morning I strode into the office dressed in a casual business suit, glad that all aspects of my life were now headed in the right direction. Since I lived further from the office, I’d had to drive, instead of walk, to the bakery to get my morning pastry (okay, pastries), but it was worth it for the possibilities that awaited me. While munching on my scone, I checked emails and found a reminder from Rach to set up Chris Bradley’s farewell festivities.

Since I had to go upstairs anyway, I took the elevator to the second floor, and knocked on the open door of Chris’s office. “You got a sec?”

Chris’s face lit up, obviously happy for the distraction from whatever he was working on behind his large mahogany desk. “Hi, Gina. What’s up?”

Stepping inside, I tried to ignore how handsome he looked today. “I’m ordering your bon voyage cake for next Friday. Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla?”

He chuckled. “You came all the way up to the sales department for that?”

I shrugged. “No big deal. I needed to stretch my legs.”

“Maybe.” He leaned back in the leather chair and laced his hands behind his head. “Or, perhaps you’re secretly going to miss me and wanted to spend as much time with me while you still can.”

“Hmmm. . . plausible, if not a tad overconfident, but I actually had to drop a vacation request form off for Ellen so she can go on her honeymoon and still have a job when she gets back. And I figured as long as I’m up here . . . ” I plopped into one of the two chairs across from his desk.

His lips curved upward. “Well, I’m glad you stopped by. I don’t get to see you enough.”

I swallowed, wondering why he’d want to see more of me. “Are you excited about going to work for our largest competitor? I heard they made you an amazing offer.”

He eyed me critically. “Chocolate.”

My head tilted in confusion. “They offered you chocolate?”

He laughed. “The cake. You asked me which kind I preferred.”

“No,” I corrected him. “I asked about your new job and you dodged the question.”

A strange look crossed his face, but he didn’t answer.

“What? I’ve known you for five years and you’ve never been shy. Now, suddenly, you’re clamming up on me?” I felt instantly intrigued, wondering what about his new job he didn’t want to tell me. “Truth or Dare?”

He rubbed his chin, his knuckles sliding across his noticeable five o’clock shadow. “I’m trying to figure out what you mean by that.”

“It’s a game I’ve been playing. You have to either answer my question honestly or perform the dare of my choosing.”

“I see.” He set his hand on the desk. “And what do I get out of this?”

My gaze dropped to his hand and I couldn’t help noticing how strong it looked. And smooth. Like he could lift an axe effortlessly, but also give a shoulder rub that’d make me go boneless.

I cleared my throat. “Well, in the game you’d get to do it back to me.” The word ‘it’ caused all kinds of inappropriate scenarios to go through my mind. “Although fair warning—I never pick Truth, which is actually how I ended up moving in with my crazy roommate last weekend.”

“Oh, really?” The phone on his desk rang, but he sent it to voicemail. “Who did you move in with?”

For some reason I felt flattered that he’d ignored his call. Even though he’d done the same thing during plenty of our conversations over the years. Weird. “One of the other bridesmaids in Ellen’s wedding. She also set me up on a date as a dare and . . . oh, wait.” My eyes narrowed. “You diverted me again. Truth or Dare, Chris? And I won’t be distracted this time.”

He laughed, making me realize he really had intentionally diverted me again. “What are the ground rules on Dare? My days here are numbered, but I don’t think I’d get a good send off if I streaked the office in my boxers.”

Hmmm. Boxers. Interesting. . . .

I cleared my throat. “Okay, ground rules. No taking off clothes.”

He winked at me. “Much appreciated.”

I flushed. “Second rule, no bodily contact with someone else. That’s pretty standard. Or, at least, it should be.”

“I’d say so. Especially since we’re in the office. On the other hand, if it were after hours—”

“Please don’t finish that thought.” I held my hand up.

He made a face like I’d wounded him. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Although Chris was teasing me, I knew there’d be plenty of fun with a guy like him. No doubt about that. But I wanted more than a good time. I needed a partner in life, not just for the time being. “Let’s just agree to keep it clean.”

“You’re the boss,” he said.

My thoughts drifted to all the different ways I’d like to give him orders and I sucked in a breath. What had we been talking about? Oh, right. “Truth or Dare? Pick one.”

He palmed the air with both hands turned up as if weighing each side before he brought his hands together in decision. “Truth.”

My mind immediately raced back to his strange reaction when I’d brought up his new place of employment and I wondered what he hadn’t wanted to say. “Are you looking forward to your new job?”

“That again, huh?” He held my gaze with a serious expression. “This is just between you and me?”

“Absolutely.” I held my index, middle, and ring fingers up. “Rule number three. What happens in Truth or Dare stays in Truth or Dare.”

“All right then.” He got up, shut his office door, then sat in the chair right next to me. He swiveled so we faced each other directly, our knees almost brushing. “It was time to move on.”

After several seconds, my brows came together. “That didn’t answer my question.”

“Boy, you don’t let me get away with anything.” He smirked, then looked at a spot on his desk. The air between us thickened before he finally turned back to me. “Making the switch was the right decision. I’ll . . . miss the people here though.”

He used few words, but I could tell how much he meant them. “Of course you will. I mean, you’ve been here a long time and it’s a great place to work.”

“Exactly.” He nodded, then scratched the back of his neck. “But, what can you do?”

My stomach sank as I realized I’d miss getting to see Chris every day. Not that I did, but I’d always had the opportunity to and now I wouldn’t. “Must’ve been a really nice offer.”

“Too good to pass up.” He shrugged, then leaned back in the chair. “Time to grow up and make the tough choices.”

That’s how I’d felt these past couple years with George. It had been good while it lasted, but wasn’t what I wanted in the end. It seemed so obvious now that I couldn’t believe I’d let it go on so long.

Chris cleared his throat. “My turn.”

My head snapped up as I jerked from my thoughts. “What?”

He wiggled his brows. “Truth or Date?”

Listening to him reveal his private worries about leaving had made me forget we were playing a game. “It’s Truth or Dare, actually.”

“Just trying to expedite things since you told me you never choose Truth.” He smirked. “But, if you want to go through the motions, I’ll play along. Truth or Date?”

I should’ve known he’d have something up his sleeve, but the seriousness of his expression and tone during our conversation had thrown me. “Dare. With an ‘r,’ but—”