If I Told You (2 page)

“More than likely, you’re just too employed by him. He’s strict about that.”

“I’ve heard.” She fluffs her curly, black hair. “Do you think he likes brown girls?”

“He likes all women. He’s an equal opportunity kind of guy.”

Melissa laughs. “So you’re saying there’s a chance.”

I shake my head and wrap my scarf around my neck. “You never know, Mel. Have a good night.”

“You too, Brooklyn. See you soon.”

I walk outside where I’m assaulted by cold air. I’m dying for Spring. Heading down the sidewalk, I peek inside the restaurants as I pass, admiring the beautiful people that fill them. Groups of friends laugh together, couples lean in close, while others sit silently across from each other. There’s always a story in New York.

A few blocks down, I turn the corner to our apartment. When I reach the building, I trudge up the stairs and let myself in using my access code. Inside, I hit the elevator button and wait the few minutes before it arrives. The doors open and Chris and Gene, my across-the-hall neighbors, step out.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Chris says, kissing my cheek.

“Hey, guys. Going out?”

Gene rolls his eyes. “He’s dragging me out for dinner.”

I smile. “Is that a burden for you?”

“It’s cold out there.”

“That’s true.” I pat his arm. “Just cuddle close. You’ll be alright.”

“That’s what I said,” Chris says. “I told him I’d keep him extra warm tonight.”

“Always bribing me with sex,” Gene says, allowing a grin to sneak onto his lips. “I mean, it works, but still.”

I just laugh. “Have fun.”

“Where’s that smoking hot roommate of yours?” Chris asks.

“At the restaurant where he always is.”

He fans himself. “Was hoping for a glance of all that sexy manliness.”

Gene shoves his husband. “You’re giving me a complex.”

“Sorry, sweetie, but you know he’s the filling in our sandwich.” He winks at me. “If he’d say yes, we’d do very bad things to him.”

“You guys,” I reply, shaking my head. “That’s not gonna happen. He’s one hundred percent into women only.”

“A guy can dream,” Chris says, laughing.

“That’s true. Have a good night, guys.”

“Bye.”

They wave as I step onto the elevator. Even Chris and Gene want a slice of Flynn. I’d be lying to myself if I said the idea never crossed my mind. Flynn is sexy, strong, smart. His body is phenomenal—all lean muscle and ripped abs. His arms alone are orgasm worthy. I love how his jaw twitches when he’s serious, and his eyes sparkle when he’s not. I love how sweet he is with me and gruff with everyone else. He can be a total dick, but I know how to keep him in line. He might be a handful sometimes and the hottest guy in New York, but he’s also my best friend, and I wouldn’t change one thing about him.

The next morning, after opening the door to my studio, I stop in the doorway and look around for a minute. It’s super clean, much cleaner than it was yesterday. The wood floors seem to sparkle and the scent of lemon lingers in the air.

A moment later, the door opens again and Jill, my assistant manager, walks in all bundled up from the unseasonable cold weather we’re having.

“Morning,” she greets. “You’re here early.”

“Morning. Do you know how the studio got so clean?”

She smiles. “I do. Bridget and Sammy were here teaching classes last night, and I was bored, so I just decided to clean. It felt like the place needed a good scrub down.”

“You did this?”

“I did.”

“Wow.” I glance around again. “It looks amazing.”

“Thanks.” She pulls her scarf off and shoves it under the desk. “Truth be told, I clean when I’m anxious.”

“Oh?” I lean on the counter. “Anything going on?”

Jill nods her head, unbuttoning her coat. “Jake and I broke up Sunday night.”

“Oh no. I’m so sorry. What happened?”

“Nothing major, just…” she shrugs. “No spark. We’ve been hanging out for months and already it’s boring. We were having dinner, and he brought it up. I didn’t really want to break up, but what do you say when the other person suggests it?”

“That sucks. It was so cute with the Jake and Jill thing.”

She laughs softly. “Yeah, I guess we rolled down the hill, but couldn’t make it back up again.” She tucks her coat under the desk. “Anyway, the idea of hitting the dating scene again makes me a little anxious. I just feel like I’m older than everyone. And fatter.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You are not even kind of fat. You know that.”

“I know, but when I go out, it seems like all the other women are tiny and twenty. I feel like an amazon. An old amazon.”

“Nothing wrong with being tall. I wish I had a few more inches.”

“I wish I had any inches.”

I tilt my head. “Are we still talking about height?”

“Nope.”

I laugh. “I hear ya. It’s been a while for me, too.” I run my fingers through my hair, then remove a few blonde strands that strayed to the shoulders of my sweatshirt. “I’m not sure what’s holding me back right now. I guess I’m waiting for someone spectacular. All the guys I’ve dated this year have been duds, both in the head and in the bed.”

“Spectacular would be nice.”

“I wonder if it even exists.”

“Oh it does. You live with it.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Flynn?”

“God, yes that man. He’s spectacular.”

“He is, but, you know.”

“Yeah, yeah I know. Just friends.” She grabs my hand. “Just tell me what it is. Tell me the dirty fatal flaw he has that keeps you in the friend zone. You must know.”

“There isn’t one.”

“Did he kill someone? Or does he chew with his mouth open? Does he leave dirty socks everywhere or drink out of the milk container? Ooh, I know. He leaves the toilet seat up.”

“You’re cracking me up right now. He doesn’t do any of those things. He’s very neat and tidy around the house. More than me I think. I’m pretty sure he’s never killed anyone, and he has his own bathroom. He’s a good guy.”

“But?”

“But nothing. Can’t a male and female just be friends without everyone questioning why?”

Jill shrugs. “I mean I guess if you were both normal.”

“We’re not?”

“Uh, no. Have you looked in a mirror recently? You’re gorgeous. And Flynn is just, wow.”

“So we should be together because we’re both attractive?”

“No, but why wouldn’t you?”

I laugh, tracing my finger over a scratch on the counter. In the six months Jill has worked for me, she rarely asks about my personal life, so I decide to give her a little info. “Okay, the truth is, when I first met him, I was attracted to him, but we spent time together, and there just wasn’t that thing you need. We worked together at the time and just ended up being friends. There’s really nothing else to the story.”

She nods. “Hmm, okay. How did you decide to live together?”

“That was just timing. I had just taken over the studio from the previous owner and Flynn just got his loan for the restaurant. We were both struggling financially and working insane hours, so one night over beer and pizza, Flynn suggested it. It just made sense so we found a place.” Laughing, I continue. “It was terrible. So small, but that’s all we could afford to stay close to here and the restaurant. Flynn slept on the couch and let me have the only bedroom, which was more like the size of a walk in closet.”

“I can imagine.”

“A little over a year ago, we upgraded to the place we live in now. It’s expensive, but splitting the costs makes it manageable. He’s actually a great roommate.”

“Oh, I’m sure of that. I imagine him walking around the house without a shirt on, looking all sexy with those bedroom eyes and that deep voice. I think you have superpowers not to jump all over him.”

I chuckle. “I still think he’s attractive. I think he’s sexy, but I see him…” I pause, considering my words. “I don’t know. The place he holds in my heart is so much more than what he looks like.”

“Makes sense. I’m just being a shallow, horny bitch.”

Her comment makes me burst into laughter. “Nothing wrong with that. I’m gonna head into my office and get some paperwork done.”

“I’ll be here manning the front.”

“Thanks again for cleaning. It really looks amazing.”

“My pleasure.”

Just as I’m about to walk away, the front door opens and in steps the topic of our conversation. Jill’s cheeks immediately blush.

“Hey, Brooks,” Flynn says, nodding at Jill. “Brought you something.” He pulls his hands from behind his back and shows me the coffee cup and bag he’s holding. “Java.”

My eyes light up. “Awesome. You’re my hero today.”

“I was up early and figured we could both use a treat. I got the chocolate croissant, too.”

“Mmm, naughty, but I’ll take it.”

Flynn turns to Jill. “Sorry. I didn’t know you’d be here or I would’ve brought you something, too.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” she says, gazing into his eyes like she’s in a trance. “I had breakfast.”

“So did I,” he replies. “But now I need something sweet and indulgent.” He turns back to me, grinning. “And I like to corrupt my little fitness freak.”

I laugh, motioning him to follow me. “Come on then, Chef. Let’s go corrupt me.” I catch Jill watching him with her mouth hanging open. “You’re bad, you know that.”

“What’d I do?”

“You know what you did. You tease Jill. You know she thinks you’re hot.”

Flynn laughs as we enter my small office. “Yeah, I do.”

“Tease.”

He nods. “It’s sweet. I’m not being mean. I like how her face lights up when she sees me. Her cheeks turn red, and I’d bet she gets a little wet.”

“Stop.” I take the coffee and sit at my desk. “Don’t be dirty.”

“Am I ever anything but dirty?”

“Good point.” I watch Flynn open the bag and remove the large croissant, pulling it in two for us to share. “She asked me about you again. She just broke up with the guy she was dating.”

“Yeah?” He takes a bite of his croissant. “Does she need a little sexual healing?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“She probably does. She scrubbed down the studio yesterday out of frustration.”

“Ooh, yeah, that’s bad.”

“You interested?”

“I don’t know. She’s cute enough, but it’s complicated. I’d have to see her all the time here, and you know I like to keep it clean. This is too close to home.”

I nod, sipping my coffee. “Yeah, I agree. Remember when Sean asked me out?”

“My bartender?”

“Yeah. I thought the same thing.”

“But you could’ve. I fired him after two weeks.”

I laugh. “True, but I didn’t know that.”

“Did you think he was hot?”

I shrug. “Not hot, so much. Just interesting. I was never with someone like him before.”

“Someone like him? You mean an Asian guy?”

I chuckle. “Right.”

“Is that the only race you haven’t touched?”