Getting Down to Business. Allison B. Hanson

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ only needed to buy one anyway.”

      “Seriously? You didn’t even have to buy her a drink?”

      “That’s right.” Gray couldn’t hold back the smug smile.

      “You suck.” Doug flipped him off as he left Gray’s office.

      Doug would really be pissed off to find out it was the best sex he ever had.

      Grayson went about his day, catching himself smiling every once in a while. Alyssa’s face in the line at the coffee shop was priceless.

      At lunch, he glanced around the street at the crowds of people.

      “Who are you looking for?” Doug asked.

      “The woman I was with last night works here.”

      “Uh-oh. You want me to hide you?”

      “No. Actually, I’d like to run into her again.”

      “Seriously? You just got out of a relationship. Give it a rest.”

      Technically it had been three months. “This coming from Mr. Family Man himself.”

      “We’re not talking about me. I’m trying to spare you,” Doug said. Grayson knew Doug would do anything to go back to his family, even though his wife had treated Doug horribly and used their daughter to manipulate him.

      “I wouldn’t mind seeing her again.”

      “It was a Wednesday,” Doug protested. Gray laughed again and surveyed the crowd on the sidewalk looking for Alyssa’s long, golden hair.

      “I know. I’m as surprised that your idea worked as you are.” With a sigh of disappointment he went back to work.

      “You want to hit the gym after work?” Doug asked later that afternoon.

      “Sure. We’ll have to swing by my place so I can get some clothes.”

      While going to the gym with Doug wasn’t what he’d been daydreaming about most of the day, at least he wouldn’t be sitting home alone.

      They took the elevator in his building up to the second floor—the metropolitan equivalent of trying to find the closest parking spot at the gym.

      “You still haven’t found a roommate?” Doug asked as they stepped inside his barren living room. The TV and the sofa had been Gray’s, but the decorations had been Trent’s.

      “No. You want to move in?”

      “Nah. I couldn’t afford it.”

      “I’d be willing to lower the price for you.”

      “Thanks, but I’m saving up to get a place with two bedrooms. The caseworker says I can’t keep Lucy overnight until she has her own room at my place. The apartment also has to meet all the other criteria of their inspection. Clean and safe. Do you know how much a clean, safe two-bedroom costs in the city?”

      He did. He was living in one at the moment. And the empty bedroom was just sitting there.

      “Until then, I’m going to stay in Queens so I’m close and can see her more. Besides, I don’t want to move in here, and then have Trent break up with his girlfriend and want to move back.”

      “Fiancée,” Gray corrected. “And no. He won’t be moving back. They’ve sent out the save-the-date magnets.”

      Trent had paid his rent through the next four months, giving Gray enough time to find a new roommate, or for Trent’s fiancée to change her mind and kick him to the curb.

      Gray had to admit that he was kind of hoping for the second thing. Not that he had a problem with Tiffany or wanted his friend to be heartbroken. It would just be easier than finding a new roommate.

      “Do you want me to put some feelers out to find someone?” Doug offered.

      “You sure you don’t want it?”

      “I can’t pay what Trent was paying, and I won’t take charity.”

      “It’s not charity. It’s friendship.”

      “Friendship is me helping you find someone who can pay you what it’s worth.”

      “Fine. But the offer’s still open.”

      “I appreciate it.”

      “Are we doing this?” Gray asked holding the door while Doug inspected the kitchen.

      “Yeah.” Neither of them sounded very convincing.

      * * * *

      Gray didn’t see Alyssa at the coffee shop on Friday morning, and wondered if she was avoiding him. He caught himself looking around, expecting to see her hiding behind a street sign or something.

      By Friday afternoon, he found his wanting to see Alyssa again had turned into something a bit stronger. He headed out of the office a little early and sat on one of the benches outside their building. Waiting. He pulled a magazine out of his bag so he wouldn’t look so obvious, but he couldn’t fool himself. He knew exactly what it looked like. Stalking.

      He would have missed her if she hadn’t spotted him and stood in front of him.

      “I’m pretty sure you’re stalking me now,” she said with her brows raised.

      “Who said I was waiting here for you?”

      She gave one nod and walked away. Shit.

      “Okay. Hold up. I was waiting for you.” She turned to look at him. “I wouldn’t have to resort to this if you’d just given me your damn phone number.” He smiled to let her know he was joking.

      “What do you want?”

      “It’s Friday. I’m not really looking forward to going to a club tonight. I thought maybe you’d like to give us another go. I live nearby.”

      She rolled her eyes and walked away while mumbling something that sounded like, “One night means one night.”

      Gray laughed and chased after her as her heels clicked down the sidewalk.

      “How about a drink? I never got to buy you a drink.”

      “No thanks. I have stuff I need to do tonight.”

      “We were pretty efficient together. You would still have plenty of time.”

      “Look. I’m sorry, but you have the wrong girl. I don’t do any form of relationship. Whether it be marriage or going for a drink, I don’t want any of that. I just wanted to have a good time and keep going.”

      “Okay. Got it. Sorry I bothered you. I feel the same way, except I didn’t have a good time.” This made her stop walking. She turned on him, scowling. “I had a fantastic time. The best time ever.” He grinned and СКАЧАТЬ