Page 26 of Stuck with Me

He lowers his chin and breaks eye contact at last, but I catch the sly grin on his lips. And dammit if that doesn’t turn me on even more.

Giving into this attraction feels like it would be a slap in the face to Gigi. A big fat FUCK YOU, and I’d never forgive myself. Gigi meant everything to me. I couldn’t do that to her.

“Fine. Tell me where you want my hands.” He chuckles and I ignore his innuendo.

“There. In the dough.” I point at the ball of dough that’s risen to the perfect height.

He washes his hands and complies, taking the dough out of the bowl and resting it on the floured countertop after I gestured with my eyes. I hand him the rolling pin and he waits for me to give him the next instruction.

“It needs to be rolled into a rectangle shape of about twelve inches by twenty-four inches. It can’t be too thick, or the cinnamon rolls won’t turn out as good.”

As he pushes the rolling pin across the dough, his large hands distract me momentarily. His nails are short and his thick veins pulse. There are a few noticeable scars on his knuckles. They’re working man’s hands and the thought of that has me all riled up once again.

Fuck this man and his seductive hands.

I swipe my glass off the counter and gulp it down before stomping off to search for my phone. I need reinforcements. I need Cams.

I find my phone on the floor near the Christmas tree. Everything on the coffee table went flying when it tipped over. After I one-handedly pick up the other things scattered across the floor. A few coasters, a candle, a stack of romance books that belong to Cammie. I don’t typically read that shit. I’d rather live it myself than immerse myself in a smutty fictional story.

Though lately, Cammie’s got me hooked on a series by an author that’s got women all over Instagram losing their fucking minds over. And as much as it killed me to admit to Cammie, I’m a slut for Elsie Silver and I’m stuck in my Chestnut Springs Era.

Cammie thought books would help me with my grief. And she was right. When I’m reading, I feel less alone. I’m not thinking about Gigi or how much I miss her and how I don’t know how I’ve been functioning with a hole in my heart since she passed away earlier this year.

I stack up the books and text Cammie.

ME

I need you here ASAP!

CAMMIE

What have you done?

ME

Nothing.

Yet.

CAMMIE

You know I’m always gonna be your voice of reason.

ME

Exactly. That’s why I’m texting you. Because I’m barely holding on here.

CAMMIE

Oh you really like him!

ME

No. I hate him. That’s the problem.

CAMMIE

Maybe some hate sex would be good for you.

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