Page 44 of Mr. Swoony

She bites her lip and takes the cap off the pen, holding it up to the paper. She puts a checkmark beside stargazing instead of crossing it off. “That felt good. I should have done that earlier.”

Her blonde hair is swept up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing a T-shirt and yoga pants that I’m pretty sure are Jade’s. Her ass looks amazing in them, which does nothing to help me remember that I need to keep this platonic.

“Let me know if you need my help at all.” I force my feet to move in toward the door because she needs her space, not me hounding her.

“Thanks again, Conor. Your place is really nice.”

I stop at the door. “Our place.”

She grins and nods. “Not until I pay my share.”

I ignore her and walk out of the room. I don’t want her money.

I go into the family room, grab the remote, and turn on the reality show I’ve been binging lately.

I wasn’t expecting it to be this weird, but she’s the first woman I’ve ever lived with, and she’s the first woman I’ve wanted who I couldn’t have. Those two things together form a powder keg that will eventually combust. I just hope it’s at the right moment.

Nineteen

Eloise

“We’re in, and we’re out,” Jade says, turning onto the street where Tristan’s house is.

“I hope he hasn’t changed the locks.” I grab the key out of my purse.

We finally reach his house and find no vehicles in the driveway. Thank God. I can only imagine if I ran into his mother here.

“Well, your stuff isn’t on the lawn. That’s a good sign.” Kyleigh clasps my shoulder from the back seat.

Jade parks in the driveway, and I stare at the house I thought I’d be returning to as a married woman. There’s a box on the porch steps. I wonder if Tristan’s car is in the garage.

“Let’s get this over with,” I say.

We all climb out of the SUV.

As I walk up to the front door, I wasn’t expecting all these emotions. It’s not exactly sadness I’m feeling. More like disappointment in myself for not speaking up sooner.

“Man, how rich is his family? This is a nice starter home.” Kyleigh stands behind me at the door.

“He’s a Somerset, so this is probably slumming it to them.” Jade rolls her eyes.

I slide my key in the lock, and I’m surprised when it turns over. I thought for sure that if he didn’t, his mother would lock me out.

“This is for you.” Kyleigh picks up the package from the porch.

“Thanks. It’s a sign I ordered to be delivered yesterday because we were supposed to come back here instead of a hotel after the wedding.”

I step inside. In my head, I had envisioned rose petals strewn on the floor, champagne chilling in the fridge with a platter of fruit and cheeses for us to have in bed after we made love for the first time as husband and wife. But there’s no sign of anything like that.

You were delusional. You probably would have been taking care of his drunk ass.

“Can I open it?” Kyleigh asks, holding up the box.

“Ky,” Jade scolds her.

She shrugs. “I just wanted to see it.”

“Go ahead.” I open the fridge and see it still has the ten takeout containers and beer. I grab the bottle of wine. “This is coming with us.”

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