Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

PETER

I was on a call with a contractor when Gina stepped into my office. She walked forward and took a seat across from me, hands folded on her lap and one leg crossed over the other. The black fabric of her top stretched across her chest, and I watched as she leaned forward, rubbing a hand across her bare calf. When she met my eye, there was a mischievous look in her eye.

"Hello? Peter? Did I lose you?" the voice on the other end of the line called.

"Sorry, Jim. No, I'm here. And yes, that's fine. I can revise the blueprints to fit in the extra closet. Send me over the specifications, and I'll see about getting it approved by the end of next week."

"Excellent. I'll let the client know. Thanks."

"Talk soon." With that, I lowered the phone from my ear. I cleared my throat as I set it down, ending the call. "Sorry about that. Can I help you with something?"

"I'm hoping so." She smiled, and I wondered if her visit was a business call after all. "I'm surprised you didn't text me."

I frowned. "I know. I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry. I just wondered what the holdup was. Are you not interested anymore?"

"I-no, no, that's not it. I just…well," I ran my fingers through my hair awkwardly, "I don't want either of us to get hurt or…attached. You know. Because Ainsley and I are still trying to figure everything out. So, I guess I'm more or less looking for something fun and casual."

"And you don't think I'm fun and casual?" She blinked, her green eyes drilling me from behind the thick frames of her glasses.

"Well, I didn't say that. I was more worried I wouldn't be able to keep to the agreement. Seeing you every day… Anyway, I thought you said if I didn't text you, we'd never discuss this again?" I said, keeping my tone light. I hoped she would realize I was joking.

"Yeah, well, I guess I lied." She gave a dry laugh and leaned forward. "Come on, Peter, take me on one date. If you go back to your wife afterward, oh-fucking-well. I'm a big girl. I can handle rejection. I can handle fun and casual. What I can't handle is not even being given a chance." She paused, watching as I struggled with the decision. "Come on. We matched. That's a tangible social contract that you're breaking with zero regards for societal norms."

My hands went up in defeat, an easy smile playing on my lips. "Well, I can't break our social contract, now can I?"

"What kind of animal would you be?" she teased. I chuckled, and she went on, "So, it's settled then? An official date is on the books?" She tucked a piece of hair behind her ears that had fallen loose from her low bun.

"An official date."

"Excellent." She smacked her lap, standing up. "When and where should I meet you?"

"Thursday at seven work for you?"

"Thursday, as in a week from now?" Her brows knitted together.

"No, Thursday as in six days from now."

She shook her head, not bothering to laugh at my joke. "That's too long. I'm free tonight. Meet me at Jonathan's at six." With that, she was out the door, and I had no time to object.

It was Friday, which meant there were no dates allowed and family time was firmly on the books. I had a choice to make. I stared at my computer, my mind racing, and jolted when my phone chimed. Her name stared back at me, with a Can't wait and a winking emoticon.

I sighed, and then, without any additional thought, I chose wrong.