Page 98 of Kentrell

I carried her out, warm water still dripping from both our bodies.

Marble counters lined one wall, with plush towels stacked neatly on top. Classy. Just like her.

I set her gently on her feet and grabbed the first white towel, wrapping it around her like she was too precious to drip. Then I grabbed another and tied it around my waist.

Zoe turned to open the top drawer, pulling out a pack of new toothbrushes and handing it to me.

I nodded and peeled it open.

She didn’t say anything, just picked up her own brush, added toothpaste, and started her routine.

I stood next to her, brushing mine too—but watching her the whole time.

The way she moved.

The way her hair curled at the edges from the steam.

The quiet confidence in her face even after everything we’d done—and hadn’t done yet.

This girl didn’t even know...

She had mehooked.

After we finished brushing up, Zoe ducked off into her closet, still wrapped in her towel, humming something under her breath like she didn’t just spend the last hour moaning mine.

I walked back into her bedroom, grabbed my jeans from where I left them on the floor, and slid ‘em on.

No boxers.

I’d left those somewhere between the couch and the kitchen.

Didn’t matter.

I swaggered downstairs shirtless, my body still holding heat from the shower. My black long-sleeved shirt, undershirt, cashmere peacoat, scarf, and skully were all draped across the back of her living room chair.

One by one, I got myself together—layering up, smooth and steady, no rush in my movements.

Then I headed into the kitchen.

The fridge was stainless steel, clean and fully stocked. Everything labeled and organized like she took pride in her space. I checked the freezer and found sausage links and frozen hashbrowns. Eggs were on the top shelf of the fridge, fresh and untouched.

Bet.

I got to work.

Heat on medium.

Skillet hot.

Hashbrowns first.

Sausages next.

Eggs last—fluffy, no brown, the way my mama taught me to cook ‘em when I was ten.

By the time I plated everything up, the smell had already traveled down the hall.

Then I heard it.

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