Page 41 of Embers of You
I shift on my feet. “I like when you make me laugh.”
“You’re still cold. Do you want to borrow some clothes?” he offers, and I look him over before looking down at myself.
“I’m going to say something you may not have noticed, but we aren’t even close to the same size.”
“You’re right, I haven’t noticed that. Here I was thinking we could share closets with each other.”
That earns him another laugh from me, I cover my mouth with my hand wrapped in the towel.
“Please, let me lend you something so we can dry your clothes. You can’t go home soaking wet.”
A surge of panic runs through me, mentioning being soaking wet. “Oh my God, we need to find the dogs; they can’t be stuck out there in this.” I’m about to bolt out of this house, but he stops me, stepping in front of me.
“Hey, it’s okay. They’re up at my parent’s house, Ma texted to let me know.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Was that before or after we were searching for them?”
He gives a wry look. “Possibly during. Though, I didn’t see it until we came back here.”
I want to give him shit for that, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I accept the change of clothes he offers because the chill has now seeped into my bones, and I’m worried I’m about to start shaking like a little chihuahua.
He leaves me alone in the bathroom to change into his clothes that are drowning me, but the large T-shirt and boxers surround me in his clean, pine scent. So, I take an extra second to enjoy the feeling of it.
Once I come out, I see that he’s also changed into a pair of sweatpants and a new T-shirt of his own. He’s also not wearing that cap on his head, which is good because when he turns it backwards it makes me stupid. And don’t even get me started on the cowboy hat he wears. Though, the sweatpants that are hanging low on his hips are doing the exact same thing.
“You’re right.” He shakes his head, looking at me with an undeniable heat in his gaze, though I don’t know why.
“About what?”
“We aren’t the same size, but it doesn’t matter because you look damn good in my clothes.”
I fight the blush creeping into my cheeks as he takes my wet clothes from me, turning to look around the house in an effort to distract myself.
“Do you want anything to drink?” he offers.
I plop down onto the couch, and it’s as comfy as I thought it would be as I sink into the softness. “No thanks, I’m good.”
“Okay, I’m going to get these in the dryer.” He walks to where I assume the laundry room is, and I just glance around at the space, getting a glimpse of how Jameson lives. The sense of comfort that surrounds me here has nothing to do with the couch, and more about the space in general. It makes me want to run.
But unless I want to get soaked again and drive home in sopping wet clothes, then I’m stuck for the time being.
When he comes back into the living room, I can’t help but ask, “Should we go get the dogs? I feel bad having your mom deal with Bennet.”
He pulls his phone out of his pocket, and when he turns the screen toward me, I see the picture of my black and white fluffy dog curled up on a dog bed with Jameson’s blue nose Pitbull snuggled up against him. It’s like they’re sharing the bed, with Duke using Bennet as a pillow.
My heart melts at the sight of the two of them together. Why can’t it be that easy for humans to make friends? There’s too much distrust and betrayal that comes with any relationship forus. A dog would never betray another dog or do something to ruin the other’s trust. Dogs are the most loyal creatures there are, and the pure innocence of them only makes them even better.
If only I could let myself be like Bennet.
“That’s so sweet, tell your mom thank you.” I look up at Jameson who has that same look in his eyes every time he looks at me. The softness that sends a sense of calmness over me.
“I will,” he assures. “I think we should wait out the storm a bit, hopefully your clothes will be dry by the time it lets up.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” I agree, feeling a slight awkward tension in the air at the reality of being here with him alone, wearing his clothes, somewhat stuck until the rain stops.
“What do you like to watch?” he asks, dropping down onto the couch next to me, but keeping enough distance between us so we aren’t touching and something about the distance makes me want to close it.
I bring my legs up to hug them against my chest. “Anything is fine.”
