Brain Games

28. Reassure

I wake up in a sea of dark gray satin sheets, warm, and enveloped in Brad's cool, clean scent. The soft sheets brush against my naked skin as I roll over, peeling my eyes open to glance at the clock on the nightstand, noticing it's an hour before I have to get to the hospital.

Sitting up, I rub my eyes with the heels of my hands, only to realize I'm alone in the bed. Brad's bed.

Flashbacks of last night roll over me in waves, causing a series of tingles to race up my spine. I pull the sheets tight against my chest, an ominous feeling suddenly flooding the pit of my stomach.

Where is he? Did he leave for the hospital without me? Did we both accidentally fall asleep last night, and he woke up only to realize what a huge mistake this was? The lines we may have crossed?

Before my thoughts can spiral too far out of control, feet pad down the hallway and Brad peeks his head in around the doorframe. "Hey," he says softly, realizing I'm awake. "Coffee?" he asks, walking into his bedroom, dressed in only his gym shorts from last night, carrying a mug of coffee in each hand. He offers me the lighter of the coffees.

I blink once, twice, trying to clear my morning brain fog. "Um, sure. Thanks," I say, taking the mug, our fingers brushing. I hold the warm ceramic between my hands, letting my palms soak up the heat as I take a tentative sip of the perfect creamer to coffee ratio. "You have creamer?" I ask curiously, knowing he practically takes his coffee black.

He gives me a sheepish look, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. He takes a sip of his own coffee before replying. "I bought it that night you were mad at me—after you found out I was your neighbor. I thought I'd make you coffee the next morning to apologize, but you completely blew me off. You didn't even take the coffee out of my hand," he recalls, mouth curving at the now laughable moment.

Now it's my turn to blush. "Oh."

I take another sip of coffee, impressed—even though I really shouldn't be. This isn't the first time he's made me coffee to my standards, paying attention.

Yeah, Brad knows how you like it, my conscious teases. Coffee... and other things. He definitely knows how you like it in more ways than one.

I shake my head, clearing my head of the inappropriate thoughts.

Brad and I finish our coffees before hopping in the shower together, washing each other and sneaking in a few kisses that sometimes seem a little too intimate for our friends with benefits situation. I try not to think too much about it as we dry off, and I throw on his shirt from last night to run over to my place to brush my teeth and change. By the time I'm ready Brad is already waiting for me out in the hall. We walk down to the garage to his car, and he drives us to the hospital.

The drive—the morning in general, actually—isn't as awkward as I imagined it would be after spending the full night together. It's almost comfortable. Routine. Brad's no stranger to driving me into work, but this time it feels different. Everything is starting to feel different, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it.

Like I said, the morning is surprisingly comfortable. Until it isn't.

"Hey," Brad says in the silence of the car, reaching over and grabbing my hand that's resting on my thigh. His thumb lazily rubs circles on the back of my hand. "There's this charity ball my parents go to every year to support kids, and they're dragging me with them this year since I'm back on the east coast. They have one more seat left to fill at our table... would you want to come?"

My muscles stiffen. A ball? I'm not a ball kind of gal. Well, I do like men, but—Delilah, focus!

Is he seriously asking me to a ball? Like, I'll have to wear a gown and be the most proper lady I can be kind of ball? I don't even own a gown, and nine times out of ten I end up missing my mouth when I eat! It sounds like more of a hassle that it's worth. Not to mention it kind of sounds like a... date. One where I'll be around his parents no less.