Page 4 of When Glitter Meets Gold

“I uh…” He scratches his chin. “I don’t really have a reason to rush home anymore I guess.”

“What do you mean?” I pause beside the coffee maker, then turn to find him standing right behind me.

“I split with my girlfriend a few weeks ago.”

My stomach collapses. I step back, my spine collides with the counter. “Split?”

Drew twists to grab a couple of mugs from a tall cupboard, his shirt pulling against his huge back muscles. I gulp a little too audibly. “Yeah, long time coming,” he says. “But hey, everything happens for a reason, right?”

“Right.” I squeak out a laugh then recover myself. “Sorry to hear that, really that sucks. Breakups are rough.”

My head is screaming. He’s single. He issingle. He’s not supposed to be single. He’s only supposed to exist in a distant plane ofverydistant lusting. I’m not supposed to think there could ever be a chance…

He moves toward the coffee maker, towering above me like some sculpted marble god. “Sounds like you could tell a couple of stories.” He tilts his head to the side, grinning softly.

“Just one,” I say a little bitterly, grinning back as I cross my arms over my chest.

“Oh, that bad?” He sets a mug in the coffee maker and taps the knuckle of his index finger against the pour switch. I nod. “Damn, sorry.”

“Everything happens for a reason, right?” I shrug, realizing that my palms are becoming clammy because he’s so close to me and he smells very, very good. “Plus, it was a long time ago. Over it.” A lie.

“Good.” He nudges me.Third touch.“Hope you’re gettingback out there, you’re too attractive to be staying home on a Friday.” He laughs, shakes his head. “Sorry, that just came out.”

I order my face to remain neutral as heat wraps around me like a boa constrictor performing the last fatal squeeze.

He passes me the coffee cup, his fingers brushing against mine for a moment. A bolt of lightning scorches through my insides.

I laugh. “It’s fine, and likewise.” I take a sip of coffee and almost choke because any other skill apart from breathing is currently impossible. “But I’m going to be here till late, so I guess this is it. I hope your night is more exciting.”

He makes a start on his own coffee. “I got training in a bit. Got a big comp I just signed up for.”

I fumble with a teaspoon before setting it on the counter, pretending I don’t know exactly what he’s talking about. “Is that your…CrossFit thing or something?”

“Yup.” He smiles, catching the spoon I almost let tumble. “That’s cool you remembered.”

I shrug like I haven’t performed frequent visits to his Instagram page where he loves to broadcast every detail of his gym obsession. “You mentioned it a while back, I’m sure. It’s a great sport.”

“You’ve tried it?” His eyes light up eagerly and all I want is to tell him yes.

“No.” I shake my head, wishing I’d lied because I swear I just watched his face drop. “I’m more of a low impact Pilates girl. I have no coordination for that other stuff. I just admire those who do.” I reach for the spoon again, fumbling to keep my hands occupied.

“It’s awesome. Every workout’s different. It’s exciting, you know? It keeps me guessing, keeps me challenged. It’s why I do it.” His eyes radiate with passion.

“So, you’re pretty spontaneous?” I ask enthusiastically, even though the thought of being so fills me with dread, because I, Sara Kirby, loathe spontaneity. Something about being left unprepared in whatever situation being spontaneous could thrust me into frightens me beyond reasonable comprehension.

“Beyond spontaneous,” he says.

I swallow.

This detail has the potential to set me back on course. I should be repulsed, because in no world could I possibly be attracted to a spontaneous CrossFitter.

Except, I am. Because he’s beautiful and single and right in front of me in this dark little room. And didn’t I promise Amber I’d put myself back out there?

Drew opens his mouth to say something, but he doesn’t get the chance, because the room is plunged into darkness…

I gasp, dropping the teaspoon to the floor. The metal clatters against the laminate, ringing into the blackness.

Footsteps move to the corner of the room, followed by a click which echoes throughout the confined space. Drew has flicked on a tall lamp, and now stands under its soft glow, radiating like a gold bullion.

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