Page 26 of Like Home
As soon as he’s gone, I call Steph who’s been on standby all day waiting for details. “Please tell me you’ve seen that man naked by now,” she says when she picks up.
I let out a surprised laugh and say, “And hello to you too.”
“Yes, hi, hello. Let’s get to the point.” Her impatience only makes me laugh harder. I think she’s more excited about the prospect of me getting laid than I am.
“No, I have not seen him naked,” I state matter-of-factly.
“Have you even kissed?”
“No. He was a perfect gentleman.” She lets out a groan that lets me know just how disappointed she is. I laugh again and say, “If it helps, I think our not-date is going to turn into a date. I don’t know where it’s going to lead, but I want to find out. He’s been flirting overtly with me all day. Even I couldn’t miss it. Steph, he brought meflowers.”
She squeals like a schoolgirl and says, “Yes! I knew if you spent some casual time with him you would get over your hesitation. And, yes, finally, a man who knows you deserve a bouquet just because.”
“I’ve just been so confused the last few days after Jared,” I groan. She huffs in annoyance at his name, so I rush out the rest of my thought before she can interrupt, “But, honestly, I can’t even describe to you how natural it feels with Ryan. He and I just click. It’s never been like this for me.” I go into my bathroom and turn on the shower.
“No, it hasn’t. You always felt like you were indebted to Jared because you thought you were just lucky to have him. As your best friend, it is so good to hear you’re figuring out that this new guy is lucky to haveyou.”
“Okay, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Ryan and I haven’t even talked about where this is going.” I let out an agonized sound and lean my head back against the cool glass of the shower wall. “If anything, we’ve talked more about my relationship with Jared.”
“Well, that just goes to show that he’s a good guy. He’s trying to be there for you. Don’t let that go to waste.”
“I won’t,” I reply, determined to make that true.
“Okay, go shower and put on those thigh-high boots. Your legs look incredible in them. Make it clear that this ‘not date’ isdefinitely a date.”
I bite my thumbnail to stop my smile from spreading. “The thigh highs?”
“Oh yeah, make that man want to crawl to you.” We both laugh and when I hang up, I get ready to make that happen.
CHAPTER 18
Ryan
After giving my close-cut beard a trim, I put on my favorite cologne and throw on a short-sleeved button-down. I want to look nice for Summer, and so far she’s only seen me in work clothes.Not a date, the annoying voice in my head reminds me. Well, she might not think it’s a date, but I’ll be treating it like one.
Once I’m back at her house, I knock before trying the knob. Just as I expected, the door is unlocked. “Damn it, Summer,” I mutter, entering the house. It drives me insane that she won’t lock her damn door. It still smells like paint fumes, so I go around and open some windows. “Hey, I’m back!” I yell down the hall towards her bedroom.
The door at the end of the hall opens and she pops her head out, long red hair dripping wet and her shoulders bare, glistening with water droplets. A manicured hand clutches a fluffy white towel around herself as she says, “Shit. You’re quick. Okay, give me another fifteen and I’ll be ready.” She disappears behind the door again, but she leaves it cracked open. It takes everything in me not to take that as an invitation to go to her when she’s stillwarm and damp and naked from her shower.Fuck.I blow out a breath and do some multiplication tables in my head like I used to when I was a teenager.
Once I calm myself, I sit on her couch and scroll through my phone. This feels very domestic: Me waiting for her to get ready so we can go to dinner. After some mindless scrolling, theclick clackof heels snap me to attention. I look up and immediately have to start multiplying in my head again.
She looks practically edible in her tight jeans, which hug her sumptuous hips. She’s paired them with an off-the-shoulder top that she has tucked in at the front, and black thigh-high boots that climb her legs. I have to try very hard not to envision her in those boots and nothing else.Seven times eight is fifty-six. Seven times nine is sixty-three…
“Ryan?” I hear through the fog.
“Huh?” I ask, dumbstruck.
“Are you okay? You kind of disappeared there for a sec. You know, lights on, but no one's home?” She comes into the living room and casually plops on the couch beside me. She smells sweet and clean, like vanilla scented linens. Her red-toned brows pinch together over her hazel eyes in concern. I notice that she’s put on makeup as well and wonder if I’m not the only one thinking this is a date.
“Yeah, uh, yes. I just—You look beautiful.” I fumble over my words and mentally kick myself.
Smooth.
She flushes a red that rivals her hair and says quietly, “Thank you. You look really nice too.” Shy Summer is maybe the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“So, are you ready to go eat?” I ask. She nods and I stand, offering my hand to pull her up. She takes it and tugs me by the hand to the garage.
“I’m driving,” she says with a challenge in her voice like she already knows I’m going to argue.
