Page 57 of Opening Strain

We return to sipping our hot drinks as if we hadn’t just kissed like horny teens, the quiet between us a sharp contrast to the prickly ice on my thigh. My mind reels from our kisses, and my body wants more. Well, except for the part wrapped in ice at the moment. To distract myself, I scroll on my phone.

“Got some texts?”

“Yeah.” I glance up at her, “The other band members are checking in with me. Guess they read the same article.”

“Nice of your friends.” She replaces the mug onto its saucer.

My stomach clenches.More like keeping tabs on their frontman.

“While you’re replying to them, I think I’ll go change.” She stands. “Maybe you can also reach out to King and Angie?”

Just like that, she’s back to the business at hand. Given she’s being raked over the coals, I can understand her thought process. “I’m notsure.” I lift the ice pack and return it to my thigh. “Think they’d be upset if I don’t buy?”

A devious smile crosses her face. “You never know. You could fall in love out here.”

Love? Is she joking?

What if she’snot? I wait for my body to revolt but it never does.

What if I already have?

Chapter Nineteen

While Jenna’s getting dressed upstairs, I draft an email to the PR team outlining her idea. It might work. Looking for real estate is always a good way to sideline the press. Who knows? Perhaps it’s time for me to put down roots?

Roots?

Aroostook does have its charms, considering King and Angie are a cool couple. Not to mention whatever is going on between Jenna and me. And her mother’s sweet. The more I think about the idea, the better it feels. I prefer this coast to LA, although my rental out there was lit. I bet the Hamptons could offer something just as nice. If not better.

Before Jenna returns, I’ve tossed the ice pack onto the plate and managed to get into my clothes from last night. Looks like I’m the one doing the walk of shame today.

If only. Doctor’s orders be damned.

Dressed for the day, Jenna bounds down the stairs. Smiling at her from across the room, I say, “Let me check outside to see what we’re dealing with.”

“What do you mean? You don’t think the reporters figured out where I live, do you? I’ve moved since?—”

“I’m not sure.” I turn to her. “You didn’t move because of Darren, did you?”

Her lips purse. “Not entirely. The reporters left after a few weeks, so it wasn’t them. I thought I needed a do-over.”

I open my arms wide. “Come here.”

She hesitates for a minute, then walks over to me. My arms close around her. For once, I don’t want to ravish her, but make her feel protected. Well, a little ravishing wouldn’t hurt either. But I mainly want to give her comfort for my recent failure.

I step back. “Let me take a look.” Walking-slash-quasi-limping to the front door, I peer through the sidelights. Sure enough, at least ten cars are parked outside. Shit. My shoulders slump.

From across the room, she asks, “How bad is it?”

I have to tell her the truth. She deserves this much from me. Besides, it’ll be impossible to hide when we get outside. “Only a few intrepid reporters.” My mind whirls with how we’re going to get into her car. Plus the fact I have to appear one hundred percent healthy doing it.

“Not awful.”

Ten could turn into fifty in the blink of an eye. “Change in plans.” I hope she’s okay with this. “How about I call King and Angie now and let them know about our little scheme. Which may not be so far-fetched after all.”

Her eyebrows raise. “No?”

“Turns out Aroostook has its appeal.”

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