“Sure.”

“Why did you freeze up on me last night when I asked you about having kids?”

Like he expected, she froze up again, looking away from his gaze. “I didn’t.”

“You are now.”

Audrey smiled, as she shook her head, “How do you already see through me?”

Confused, he said, “I didn’t know I was.”

“Yeah, you are and I don’t want to talk about it okay? Can we just watch TV?”

Tate wanted to say no, and push through until she answered him, but he knew that would get him nowhere. She would tell him, she just needed to trust him more. Hopefully that would be soon because he needed to know why it bothered her so much that he wanted children early.

“We are too close for comfort,” Audrey muttered.

“Oh, I’m sorry, are you uncomfortable?” Tate asked quickly, that was the last thing he wanted to do.

“No, that’s the problem.”

Tate’s brow came together, “I am confused.”

“I’m not uncomfortable at all, when I should be.”

“Why?” he asked, still confused.

“Because this shouldn’t be this easy, we shouldn’t be able to get along this easy, be able to connect like this when I’m not right for you.”

Tate thought for a moment and then smiled as he said, “Sometimes it is and you are the only one who thinks you are not right for me. I don’t think that at all.”

“Tate…” she groaned.

“Yeah, Audrey, I know. Friends.”

But that needed to change.

Chapter 14

Don’t make cupcakes while I am gone, and if you do, please make sure they are gross.

A stupid little grin sat on Audrey’s face as she read the text message from Tate. He had sent it at 4am, and Audrey hated that she missed it but even if she was two hours late, she typed back a response anyways.

I don’t make gross cupcakes, dear sir.

You are probably right, ma’am, so you should not make any.

Audrey smiled as she sat up in bed, leaning against her knees as she typed back.

I won’t. Who would eat them with me? Instead, I will run.

When his response came, a loud giggle escaped her lips.

Please don’t watch out for poles.

How did she already miss him?

It didn’t get any better. Each day seemed like weeks, and with each text or phone call, it only got worse. It was weird how used to him she had become. They had only been friends for a week but it seemed like months. She couldn’t believe how much she missed seeing him push his tongue against his teeth as he thought of something or when he smiled. Or how loud his laugh was, or the 2am wake up by him playing the piano. But most of all, she missed how intensely he would look into her eyes when they talked.

Audrey had never had a guy actually care when she talked. Even over the phone, she could tell that Tate was paying attention and that he cared about what she was telling him. And Lord knew it was a bunch of crap! All she could contribute to the conversation was all the TV shows he had missed, or things that happened at work, which was basically a bunch of nothing. The only useful information she could give him was about Aiden’s hockey games, and how the little bugger scored his first hat trick.

Tate, on the other hand, was busy. They had won the first three games, and were hoping for another win that following night. Tate loved traveling in the southeast. Apparently it was nice and warm. Tate loved being back in Florida, but did miss Tennessee. He, Erik, and Phillip had been really busy hitting up the clubs when they could. Lucas didn’t like it, but Tate said they always made curfew. Overall, they mostly talked about nothing, and Audrey couldn’t have been happier.

The sad thing was, while Tate was having a blast, Audrey sat at home, sad he was gone. To top things off, Levi had texted her again about meeting up for drinks. She told him ‘no’, like a good little girl, but it didn’t stop her from wondering what he wanted. Did he miss her? Was he thinking of her? Or did he just want sex?

Sheesh, why did she even care?

Looking up at the Panera Bread menu, Audrey decided that she really had to stop caring. Levi only wanted one thing from her. Every time he contacted her, it was about ‘getting together’ and Audrey knew all about his ‘getting together’. She didn’t want any part of it either.

Having decided on her favorite soup and salad, Audrey was ordering when a tap came on her shoulder. Audrey turned to see a bright familiar face.

“Elli,” she gushed, wrapping her arms around her friend, “how are you?”

“Good, thank you. How are you?”

“Okay, thanks, on lunch break?”

“Sure am, and Lord, am I hungry. This baby is already eating like Shea!” Elli said rubbing her belly fondly. Audrey smiled down at Elli’s growing bump before looking up at the mommy to be. Elli looked amazing, a dark red skirt with a black and red blouse that flowed over her tummy perfectly. Of course, she wore red and black polka dot heels and damn it, Audrey couldn’t help but think she wore them better than she did.

“You look amazing, Elli, honestly,” Audrey gushed while be green with envy. Elli was the perfect mother, a wonderful wife, and a business owner, add in her awesomeness, and she was everything Audrey wanted to be.

Lucky bitch.

“Aw thanks, Audrey. That means a lot; I’m feeling kinda blah lately.”

“Well hopefully you’ll get out of that,” Audrey said, and Elli nodded.