Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Aelix~

Istared at the text, and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it. The romantic in me was kind of offended, but the pragmatic part of me understood that everyone communicated by text, so it wasn’t necessarily a faux pas. The only thing that was still sacred was proposing to someone, but even that special intimacy had been ruined by everyone feeling the need to film and post their proposals. I mean, seriously. How much of a surprise could it really be with a phone propped up nearby? Now, that wasn’t to say that social media didn’t have its uses, but I wasn’t one to blast all my personal business to a bunch of strangers. Plus, if it involved marriage proposals or pregnancy announcements, I still believed in saving those special things for my family and the people that really were significant in my life.

At any rate, my issues with the it’s-all-about-me-era aside, I just hadn’t pegged Kent for the texting type. I mean, the man opened doors and pulled out chairs in a display of manners that wasn’t common anymore.

Kent: Would like 2 know if u want 2 go 2 dinner with me 2nite?

There was also the fact that the last-minute request bordered on rudeness. Considering what we did for a living, he knew as well as I did that we were too busy for a last-minute anything. We were constantly swamped, and though I didn’t have any plans for tonight, it still felt a bit…transactional.

On the other hand, I found myself wanting to go, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. While things with Cotter were great, what we had between us wasn’t sustainable. Though we’d never discussed it, I couldn’t imagine Cotter not wanting a wife and children one day. Moore Industries was a family institute, so he’d need heirs to inherit all of his hard work one day. Plus, with Cutter Moore being engaged now, I could see Cotter getting domesticated ideas in his head eventually.

Now, would I be opposed to having a real relationship with Cotter? No. The man was gorgeous, successful, intelligent, cultured, and he didn’t make me lay in the wet spot when we were making a night of it. Honestly, he was every woman’s dream, and he should be. Women were notorious for settling in their quest for love, and it was a shame, really. However, Cotter Moore was the entire package, and I had nothing bad to say about the man, apart from his weird period sex fetish.

At any rate, no matter how I felt about Cotter, I knew that I wasn’t the one for him, and I was okay with that. I had signed up for sex-only, and he’d never done anything to confuse the situation. I could never accuse him of giving me mixed signals or playing with my emotions. He’d stuck to his word, and I’d done my best to return the favor.

Nevertheless, Kent’s question had me realizing that I did miss going to the movies and going to dinner at nice restaurants. It made me realize that I missed inviting someone to my family parties or to company functions. Though the sex with Cotter was mind-blowing, I missed the companionship that came with traditional relationships. Yeah, the guys that I’d dated in the past had proven to be assholes, but I wasn’t bitter, and I’d gotten over Thomas’ nonsense a long time ago.

I kept staring at the text, wondering if it was a red flag or if I was reading too much into it. Again, everyone communicated like this these days, and just because it wasn’t my first choice in the romance department, that didn’t undo all of Kent’s other good qualities.

Still, even if I found myself wanting to go, I knew that I couldn’t agree without letting Cotter know that I was ending our arrangement. After all, that had been the agreement from day one; complete transparency. We had agreed to no feelings, no questions, and no lies, most importantly no lies.

Staring at my phone, I let out a deep breath, then pulled up Cotter’s contact. While I wasn’t fond of having significant conversations through text, this was the only way that Cotter and I had ever contacted each other. We’d never had a phone conversation, and we hardly spoke when we were together. So, texting really was our primary choice of communication, and I ignored my shaky fingers as I typed out my message.

Me: Hey, Kent asked me 2 dinner 2nite, n I find myself wanting 2 go. So, thanks for the past 2 years, they were exactly what I needed 2 move on from that idiot without ending up bitter…LOL. No need 2 return my key since I trust u, but if u’d like urs back, I can drop it n ur mailbox. Again, thank u 4 everything n take care of urself, Cotter.

I sent off the text, then pulled up Kent’s last message. Now, was Kent going to be my happily ever after? I had no idea. However, I knew that I’d never know unless I gave him a chance, and it was time to stop living comfortably and take a leap of faith. Even if things didn’t work out, it’s not like it’d be the end of the world or my first broken heart. Yeah, it might become a bit tricky since I’d never dated someone that I’d worked with before, but when what you were doing wasn’t working, then you had no choice but to try something different, right?

Letting out another deep breath, I replied to Kent’s text.

Me: Dinner sounds nice

I nodded to myself, satisfied with my text. It didn’t sound desperate, and it also sounded platonic enough that I wouldn’t be embarrassing myself if he’d sent this to me as a friends-only sort of thing. While most people disagreed, I believed that men and women could be genuine friends without any underlining sexual vibes. So, if Kent thought like I did, then his request really could be just him asking his friend to dinner, which I wasn’t opposed to since I loved food. Seriously, all you had to do was ask my hips and thighs to know that I enjoyed my food whenever I ate.

Kent: Great. I was thinking Horizons on 7th

Okay, Horizons wasn’t somewhere that you took your platonic friend. Not only was it very expensive, but it had a beautiful view of a lake, and the entire vibe of the restaurant felt seductive and very intimate. It was impressive for a first date, and it was also the place to be for anniversaries and occasions like that. I’d also never been, though the food had rave reviews also.

Me: Horizons sounds great, but a table this late sounds like hopes n dreams

Kent: If we can’t get n, u can pick next

Me: Careful…u’ll find urself at a taco truck if left up 2 me. I eat salads all week 4 a reason

Ken: LOL…duly noted

I found myself smiling at my phone, the banter a nice change of pace. I couldn’t remember the last time that a man had openly flirted with me, and I’d forgotten how fun and lighthearted flirting could be. As intense as Cotter was, I wasn’t even sure if he knew how to flirt or tease. Hell, the first night that we’d met, he hadn’t wasted any time getting to the point, and with me securely warming his bed for the past two years, there’d never been any need for him to flirt with me.

Me: Just let me know what the plans r when u find out

Kent: Absolutely

I set my phone down on my desk, still not entirely sure how I felt about my date with Kent. I also wasn’t surprised that Cotter hadn’t texted back yet. After all, the man was busier than I would ever be, no matter how many cases I took on. Honestly, at this rate, Cotter could retire at the age of forty and still be able to burn hundreds at the strip club every weekend.

My phone chiming with an incoming text snapped me out of my thoughts, and when I reached for it, I’d genuinely believed that it was Kent again, letting me know if he’d gotten us a reservation.

However, I was wrong.

CM: Better clear ur fucking calendar bcuz I’m on my way 2 ur office right now

Well hell.

I hadn’t been expecting that.