Page 20 of Tall, Dark, & Ginger

“Sure, I can do that.”

We walk to the living room together, and I don’t know what’s on Wren’s mind, but I can’t think about anything but last night. Will we do it again? I was convinced it was a spur-of-the-moment deal fueled by the sexy movie we watched, but right now he could be working on returning things to normal or finagling a repeat performance. Fuck, I hope it’s the second one.

I grab the remote and plop down on the couch, flicking the TV on. “What’re you in the mood for?”

“Anything.”

“Cool.” I scroll through a few options, then choose a title that makes me chuckle. “A haunted house movie?”

Wren nods. “Sure.”

I hit play, then settle back as the opening credits scroll on the screen and creepy music plays.

“Do you believe in ghosts?” I ask.

Wren shrugs. “Not sure, but I’m open to possibilities. I’m guessing you don’t?”

“No. It would probably have to be very in-my-face to convert me.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Agreed.”

The movie starts and we watch in silence for about ten minutes, as the new family moves into the old house left to them by a mysterious relative. I’m interested in the movie, but something feels off with Wren.

The few glances I’ve stolen at him, he looks distracted and distant. Well, fuck. Maybe he’s not comfortable being alone with me anymore. I’m doing my best to stay normal and not make him feel awkward.

“Wren?”

His breath hitches. “Can you pause the TV please?”

“Yeah.” I grab the remote and stop the movie. “Something wrong?”

He shakes his head. “I need to say something, but don’t interrupt me or I won’t be able to get it out. Okay?”

“If this is about last night?—”

“Okay, Ridley? Please?”

I nod. “The floor is yours.”

I brace myself for “the speech,” the one where he tells me we can only be friends and last night was a mistake, but we don’t have to go there. I wasn’t expecting more.

“I needed last night.” Wren wrings his hands together. “Way more than I knew.”

I nod, keeping my mouth shut as requested.

“And I was thinking about it today. All day.” He chuckles. “There’s a saying that never resonated with me until last night.” Wren looks up, focusing on me with a determined set to his jaw before he blows out a shaky breath. “The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”

I tilt my head, confused. Wasn’t expecting that.

“I’m not hung up on Trent or in love with him or wanting him back—nothing like that—but in a lot of ways I’m not over the relationship. He took a lot from me, and last night, you gave me some of it back.”

He looks at the TV, staring straight ahead for a few seconds. I admire his features, illuminated by the electric light, wondering where this conversation is taking us.

“I don’t know if you’d be interested in helping me out, but I wanted to ask because it was easy with you. It would be good for me to…” He raises his hands, moving them like he’s kneading dough in midair, his lips parted, seemingly lost for words.

“Wren?”

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