Free If I Told You by Jennifer Domenico Page A

It’s me.”
    “I never thought you’d treat me like that. I always believed you saw me as more than a piece of ass. I thought you saw me as a person.”
    “I do. Why are you saying this?”
    “You only want me because you need someone. Because someone else wants me. I just never thought it would be like that between us.”
    “You’re wrong, Brooklyn. So wrong. That’s not it at all.”
    “Then what is it? Last night you wanted to…” her voice cracks with rare emotion. She clears her throat before she continues. “You wanted to share me with another man just so you could say you did it. I would be nothing but a conquest to you. Just like all your other women.”
    She starts to walk away as her words leave me shocked. No. That’s not it. I chase after her, pulling her into my arms and spilling her coffee. She struggles against me, but I hold her close until she relaxes against me. Stroking her hair, I kiss the top of her head until she returns my embrace.
    “Brooklyn,” I say, stepping back enough to look at her. “Come on, baby, it’s me. You know you mean everything to me. Everything.”
    She shakes her head trying to look away, but I force her to look back at me.
    “If you were just another conquest to me, you know it would’ve happened by now. We would’ve fucked ages ago, and we wouldn’t be friends now. You know this.”
    She nods.
    “I’m sorry for what I said last night. It came out all wrong.”
    “What did you mean then?”
    “I was turned on seeing you like that and it clouded my judgment. For a few minutes, yeah I did want you enough to think those things.” I grip her chin. “But I can’t treat you like that. I can’t use you for sex. I can’t give in to a moment of pleasure and give up everything else we have. I respect you too much to treat you the way I treat other women. I love you. You, Brooklyn. Your heart, your mind, your sense of humor. And yeah, you’re fucking sexy and you know I think that, but you know I care about you so much I would sacrifice myself for you. You know that, Brooklyn.”
    She nods. “I’m sorry. You’re the only man I trust, and for a minute I questioned if I could.”
    “That’s my fault. I’m used to being honest with you, and I went too far.”
    “It’s my fault, too. I admit I’ve flirted with you a little lately.”
    “I’ve noticed.” I chuckle and kiss her forehead. “What’s up with that? You can’t blame it on being horny after what I saw last night.”
    She shrugs. “I don’t know. Just some kind of mood I’m in I guess. I’ll knock it off.”
    Pulling her close again, I remind myself that’s what I want. No more crossing the line. “You’re my best friend, and that matters more to me than anything. Even the restaurant. I’m sorry for what I said.”
    She hugs me close. “I’m sorry, too.” Looking up, she smiles. “I want us to be normal again. Can we just go back to how we were?”
    “Yeah, let’s do that.” As she leans into me, I rub her back, and wonder just how the fuck I’m going to accomplish that.

 

    A few hours later, I go online to look up Rhys’s review of Flynn’s. After finding it, my eyes peruse it, then I call for Flynn.
    “Flynn!”
    “Yeah,” he says, coming out of the kitchen. “What’s up?”
    “I found the review.”
    “Oh.” He dries his hands on a dish towel. “And?”
    “You ready?”
    “I am.” He sits across from me in the armchair. “Let’s hear it.”
    “A review of Flynn’s in Manhattan,” I begin. “After receiving numerous suggestions from my faithful readers, I decided it was time to try this newish establishment, specializing in a contemporary twist on Italian classics.” I glance up at a nervous Flynn. “I’m glad I did. The restaurant’s ambience is worthy of a stop for that alone. Dim lighting, comfortable chairs, and a view of the kitchen make you feel like you’re sitting in your best friend’s house, that is, until the impressive wait staff reminds