“Sure.” Wait, what?
She bid goodbye to the Montgomerys. Preston continued to chat with them for a few moments more before joining her on the opposite lounge.
“So, I’m ecstatic about all of the stations the children can go to. Tiffani is doing a cupcake decorating station, and I was wondering if you would consider having an art station similar to your paint parties, minus the wine, of course. Maybe two thirty-minute-long sessions?”
“Oh, sure, I can do that. No problem. Perhaps I can do one during the day with the children at the hospital.”
Blythe loved the way his face lit up with sincerity and delight at the mention of the children.
“Perfect. They would love that. Maybe you could come with me beforehand to meet them. I’m going next week for story time.”
“I’d love to. Just text me the information, and if I don’t have a paint party, I’ll meet you there.”
The video game he’d been working on chimed, and they both glanced in the direction of his laptop sitting at the end of his chaise. He sighed and set the computer back on his lap.
“Still working out the kinks, huh?”
“Yeah. It’s complete, but just one level has a bug that keeps messing up the other levels after it. It’s for the game cartridge the little girls at the event will take home along with the new at-home console that comes out this year and whatever else is on their wish lists for Christmas. The one for the boys is good to go. I’ll be up late tonight working. I have a test group on Tuesday, so it has to be done. You wanna play it? Give me some feedback?”
“Sure.”
He slid over next to her and set the computer on her lap. He was so close to her that she almost froze. His scent was fresh and manly. She stifled a gulp when he leaned his chest on her back and touched a few keys on the computer to restart the game. The sweater he wore didn’t disguise his hard chest resting on her, and even though he was explaining the concept of the game, she hadn’t understood a word he’d said. Instead, she was focused on the simple tasks of breathing and keeping her eyes situated on the computer screen.
“There will be a similar game available for a free download on phones, tablets and computers, but it won’t be available until the spring. Only the children at the events will receive the cartridges and a free download to their tablets along with five new games my educational division has developed for primary and intermediate grades. Those are the types of games I usually give them, because as the son of two educators, I understand the value of education. However, I do know they need to have a little fun, so I throw in the fun games, as well. That way the kids think I’m a cool dude.”
“That’s very nice of you.” She slid over to the middle of the chaise before she found herself too comfortable against him.
“Well, it gives them something constructive to do and take their minds off the pain they’re in. Trust me, it’s a horrible feeling.”
His face scrunched up for a quick second, and Blythe had the urge to reach out to caress his cheek. Shocked by her thought, instead, she nodded in understanding because she’d witnessed her mother go through some tough times during her cancer period. She could only imagine what Preston and his family had gone through when he was a child. Now she understood why Tiffani always acted like a mother hen with him even though he was the oldest.
She began to play the game while Preston watched and offered hints to her.
“This is a cool game,” she complimented him after playing for thirty minutes. She was hooked and almost didn’t want to stop. She rarely played the games on her phone, but this one was going to be downloaded as soon as it was available to the public. “Little girls love to play dress-up, so the fact that they can change outfits according to the occasion and win points to buy more cute clothes is pretty sweet.”
“Thank you, Blythe. I asked Tiffani, aka girlie-girl, her opinion, and she said the same.”
“I see you even have a cupcake shop in the game,” she noted with a pleased smile, handing the laptop back to him after completing the first three levels.
“Shout out to my baby sis.” He placed the computer on the floor, but he didn’t move from his spot next to her.
Blythe was glued to the seat. She wanted to move. Needed to move. He was so close she could hear his pulse race. Or maybe it was hers. She was surprised that she wasn’t uncomfortable, especially when he bit his bottom lip lightly in a sexy manner that tied a tangled knot in her stomach. Being alone with him wasn’t scary, and that ironically swept a fear into her. Preston was a man she’d kept at bay for the past year. She’d shrug or groan whenever his sister teased her about hooking them up because she knew the notorious millionaire playboy would break her heart. And not necessarily on purpose. Preston was an up-front man, and she was sure that all his female friends, acquaintances, booty calls, girls-of-the-month or whatever he called them were aware he wasn’t going to commit to them. Not a road she wanted to go down again, which was why she hadn’t had a steady boyfriend in almost three years.
Abruptly she stood, and so did Hope, who’d been napping on her mat. Blythe gave the dog’s head a pat as she heeled beside her.
“Leaving?” he asked with a slight frown.
“Yeah. It’s been a long day.”
Standing, he grabbed her sketch bag from beside the chaise, and they headed toward the elevator. “I understand. I appreciate your help with the project. Hope and I will walk you to your truck. I need to take her outside.”
“Thank you, but the truck isn’t mine. I borrowed it from a friend so I could haul the tree. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help because he had a business meeting, so I’m glad you were there.”
His eyebrow rose. “Oh? A boyfriend?” he asked, grabbing Hope’s leash from a hook by the elevator and snapping it onto the ring on the dog’s collar.
“No, no boyfriend. He’s just a good friend,” she explained while silently laughing at his curiosity.
“Mmm-hmm. As beautiful as you are, I’m sure he wants more than just a friendship.”
Suppressing the heat that wanted to rise so badly on her cheeks thanks to his compliment, she shook her head once more. “No...well, maybe at first,” she admitted. “We did go on a date once two years ago, but we realized that there was no romantic connection. We’ve been cool ever since. He’s like a big brother.”
“Ah, man. He got placed in the big brother category.” He chuckled and pressed the button. A mischievous grin reached across his face as they stepped onto the elevator. “So, you do date?” He pushed the button for the ground level, and the doors closed.
“Yeah. Why do you think I don’t?”
“Well, the few times I’ve seen you at events with Tiffani, I just thought you didn’t date because you’re usually alone. And when men approach you, you kind of brush them off.” He paused as a sly fox smirk inched up his face. “Unless...you don’t like men? Is that why you’re the only woman not throwing yourself at me?” he teased. “That would explain a lot.”
Twisting her lips to the side, she playfully pinched his arm. “I like men, but dating is hard for me.”
“You had your heart broken?”
“No, not really. More like a wakeup call.” She shrugged and paused, contemplating whether or not she should tell him about her horrible ex. “I’m taking a dating break right now. Sure, I’ve been on a few random dates here and there but for the most part I’m just concentrating on me. Plus, sometimes men want to rush me after the first or second date...if you know what I mean and I’m like ‘Dude, slow down. We just met.’ That turns me off. Some men want to play games and I’m too old for that. I want forever, not a one-night stand