Page 32 of Unconventionally, Elle
"Hello?" A man's voice carried through my wooden door. I knew that voice, even if I'd only heard it say three sentences during the whole Patriots game.
I'd rolled out of bed that morning in a pair of Jude's old boxers I'd stolen and an oversized Duke T-shirt--no bra. I didn't have plans today, so I never changed clothes.
"Shit," I muttered to myself as I ran to my bedroom to throw on a sports bra under my tee. I heard his voice again and another knock.
"Elle? Elle, are you home? Emma said you were home." His voice was sheepish.
I could pretend I was dead, or I could be bold and answer the damn door. Spoiler, I answered the damn door.
"Hey!" I opened the door slightly and leaned into the frame with my hand on my hip. "What's up, Barrett?" Yeah. Super smooth.
Barrett's blue eyes sparkled. "Hey yourself." He had a shy grin on his face, and I noticed his ears were red. "So, I'm sorry about randomly coming over, but Emma said she'd talked to you and you'd be home today. I was gonna catch you at the magazine office first, I swear." His words were rushed, and I noticed he was embarrassed.
I rolled my eyes playfully. "Your sister, huh? I'll have to remind her not to give my address to random men."
He relaxed at my playful tone. "Yeah, they could be really weird and come over unannounced."
"Heaven forbid, they're the worst." A sly grin spread across my face.
He shivered, and I noticed that we were still standing in the hallway.Shit, I forgot to invite him in!
"Oh God, you're not even wearing a jacket. You know it's cold out, right? Come on in." I motioned him inside and shut the door. The smell of his cologne made something stir in my belly.
"Go ahead and make yourself at home. Do you want coffee? Water? That's about all I have right now."
"Coffee sounds great, actually. I'll have it how you do," he said casually while his eyes lowered down my body, then quickly back up.
"You sure? I add in almond milk." I shifted my weight, fully aware that I was standing in front of Barrett Henry in Jude's boxers and a T-shirt.
"Yeah, that's fine. Emma's lactose intolerant, so we never had real milk at home anyways. We either did almond or soy."
"No sugar? I don't do sugar," I said.
"Just like you do it, promise," he repeated.
"Okay, you asked for it. Coming right up." I smiled to myself and turned to go into the kitchen.Schitt's Creekwas still playing in the living room, and I watched him take a seat on the couch and pull out his phone. Before he could turn around, I quickly ran my fingers through my wavy, unruly hair to make it look somewhat more presentable. I hadn't been expecting guests today.
"You know, I'm sorry if I was a little standoffish at the game the other night." His remark startled me while I was pouring some almond milk into his mug. He was facing the kitchen now, his phone gone and his left leg pulled up onto the couch as he leaned into the sturdy back.
Still staring at the mugs, I raised my voice over the Nespresso machine. "Oh, it's no big deal. I could tell you were really into the game."And not into me, I thought.
I brought him his coffee and sat down on the other side of the couch with my coffee in my favorite Disney mug. I wasn't sure what to make of this. Why did he ask Emma if I was home? What was his angle? I smiled at him. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure, Barrett?" I kept my voice casual and curled up on the couch, like nothing out of the ordinary was happening right now.
He shifted in his seat, then placed his mug on the coffee table. When he lifted his gaze to mine--well, those goddamn eyes.
"Well, Elle"--he smiled--"after the Pats game the other night, I realized I was a total ass."
I chuckled into my mug.
He continued. "But I also realized..." He paused, and I looked up at him with narrowed, playful eyes. "I realized I couldn't stop thinking about you." He shrugged as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb in my living room.
"What?" The words flew out of my mouth. No thought, no filter. "You hardly said two words to me. Did you even notice I was sitting next to you?"
"Oh, I definitely noticed you were sitting next to me." He held my stare with a mischievous smile. "Truth is I couldn't talk to you. I had no idea what to say or even ask."
"Stop fucking around. You're lying." I rolled my eyes and lightly slapped the foot closest to me. Was I flirting with Barrett Henry?
"I'm not. I swear. You're enchanting, Elle Watson." He continued to stare at me as if he was studying me. His gaze made my breath hitch, and I could feel the sweat slowly rolling down my chest. "So, after the game, I asked Emma if she could help me talk to you. Lucky me, she said yes."
