Page 6 of Seven Days

“Morning.” I grab another mug and pour a cup of coffee for her. It’s wrong to notice how adorable she is in my t-shirt and sweat pants but, fuck it, she is. Her long, dark hair is piled on top of her head. Her flawless bronze skin is completely free of makeup. It’s refreshing to see so much natural beauty.

“Thanks for the clothes. I didn’t even hear you come home last night.” The slightest blush highlights her cheeks. Her luminous brown eyes look past me as I slide her a cup of coffee. “Thank you, for the coffee, too.”

“I have today off if you want to drive to your apartment and get your things. Pick up your car?” I pull eggs out of the refrigerator.

“Oh, that’s great. Trevor is supposed to be up in San Francisco today and tomorrow for meetings.” She catches her bottom lip between her teeth as she watches me beat a few eggs for us. “Are you sure it’s not a problem? I can always grab an Uber up to my apartment. I don’t want you to waste your day off on me.”

What she doesn’t know is that I canceled an entire day of consultations for her. I texted my office manager on the way to the golf course to let her know. Now that I’ve graphic fantasies about her, I’m wondering if spending an entire day alone with her is the smartest move, but I can be on my best behavior.

Last night never happened.

I didn’t come thinking about her wrapped around me.

She probably doesn’t even remember fantasizing about me.

“Don’t worry about it. I told Jack I’d help you out this week so I will.” I try to keep my tone polite but aloof. I shouldn’t even entertain these thoughts of me and her.

“Can I help with anything?” She glances at the avocados and bread I have out on the island.

“Sure.” I roll an avocado to her. “Slice this up. I figured we could have avocado toast with our eggs.”

“Sounds good.” She leans forward to reach for the cutting board and knife and as she does her shirt hangs just low enough for me to catch a glimpse of tantalizing tan skin.

Jesus Christ.

Eyes on breakfast.

Luckily, she gets a text and taps out a response. It obviously isn’t her idiot ex because she’s smirking at the phone. The text exchange lasts a couple minutes as she gets her task finished.

We eat quickly and silently. I could be warmer to her, but if I open that door it might lead to deeper conversation. Deeper conversation could lead to intellectual attraction and that coupled with the physical pull I already feel for her would be bad news all around.

I text Jack to let him know what we’re doing while she gets her purse.

Me:I’m taking Bri to get her things from her apartment

Jack: Good. Punch the slimy bastard in the face if you see him.

Me: Consider it done.

Jack: How is she?

Me: She’s holding up. I anticipate the packing will be emotional.

Jack: Maybe. She learned how to shut her feelings off when Lucia passed away.

Jack: It’s easy for her to disassociate and compartmentalize.

Me: I’ll keep a closer eye on her, then.

Jack: Appreciate it

4

BRIANNA

* * *

The drive is painfully quiet, NPR playing softly as he maneuvers the Range Rover through traffic. I try to pay attention to a story about climate change, but my mind keeps wandering to last night.I can’t believe how hard I came thinking about him. Walking into the kitchen this morning and seeing him dressed so casually in black athletic shorts and a tight white t-shirt had my stomach doing a weird flip.

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