Page 42 of Firecracker

His gaze swept up and down her body, leaving a wake of tingles on her skin. “Nice outfit.”

“Sorry. Just wanted to get home and get clean clothes on.”

His eyes gleamed. “Don’t apologize. This is the highlight of my day.” His admiring gaze lingered on her bare shoulders.

Heat slid up from her chest into her face.

She shook her head and exited the apartment, coming face to face with Emma in the hall. “Hey!”

Emma blinked at her, her mouth open. “Um, hi.” Her eyes flickered to Tyler standing behind Arden, then back to Arden.

Arden gave a strained laugh. “Oh my God, I’m sorry! I’m running late and needed a quick shower.” She gave Emma a one-armed hug. “Let me get dressed so I can hug you properly.”

“Sure.” Emma’s wide eyes went back to Tyler. Her head tilted. “Tyler Ramirez, right?”

“Right.” He grinned, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Good to see you again, Emma.”

“Uh…you too.” She blinked again, and Arden caught the appreciation in her friend’s eyes as she took in Tyler’s sexy smile, shadow of beard stubble, broad shoulders, and bulging biceps.

“I’ll look after Emma while you get dressed,” Tyler said to Arden. “Go on.”

She stared at him, and he met her eyes with a small smile. Then she whirled and pulled open the door to her apartment. “Come on in.”

She dashed to her bedroom, quickly discarded the damp towels and dressed in jeans and a tank top. She brushed her hair out and aimed the blow dryer at it until it was half dry, then took one extra minute to brush on some eye shadow and mascara, although Emma wouldn’t care about that.

I’ll look after Emma.

What the hell was that about?

Annoyance at this added to her haste to get back to them. She found them in her kitchen, leaning on the counter laughing together, Emma with a glass of the Chardonnay she’d had in her fridge, Tyler with a beer.

Huh.

“Sorry!” She beamed a smile at Emma and moved toward her with open arms.

They hugged for a long moment, then drew apart. Emma smiled at her. “Don’t apologize, I understand. No big deal.”

“It’s so good to see you.”

“You too. You look great.”

“No, I don’t. I look frazzled and my hair’s a mess, but whatever.” Arden waved a hand.

Tyler handed her a glass of wine. “Here.”

She cocked her head and gave him a long look. “Thank you.”

“I better head downstairs. Jamie’s got some guys coming over to play this new game that just came out.”

“Oh.” Arden made a face. “Sounds like fun.”

Tyler grinned. “I’ll let you ladies get caught up. I’m sure I’ll see you again, Emma.”

“You bet.” She winked at him.

Hmm.

Tyler waved as he left, leaving her apartment door ajar.

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