Page 27 of Gigi and the Gym Rats

I’m not lost. I have my masterplan. I have my goals and my ducks set in a row.

You slipped up last night.

It’s okay, I tell myself. Let it go. It happened.

You had almost-sex with Casey.

Not real sex, though. And he’s probably already forgotten all about it, as should I, and he?—

“Look who the cat dragged in.” Ronin marches into the kitchen, somehow larger than life, a smirk on his face, his big shoulders filling the door opening for a long moment.

At least he’s wearing a T-shirt, covering up all that muscled goodness of his chest and shoulders, because I’m weak today. After Casey, I feel like I need time to regroup.

He clanks about the kitchen, taking out a glass and filling it with water. Even gulping the water down sounds too loud. Or is it me?

He turns around, props his hip against the counter and nods at me. “What’s up?”

I lift a hand. “Keep your voice down.”

“Why?”

“Headache.”

He slides into the seat across from me. “Hangover?”

“No.”

Not in the real sense of the word. I feel… emotionally hungover. Is that a thing? Kind of overloaded. Like everything is too much.

He’s gazing at me, arctic blue eyes narrowed, going through me like laser beams. It’s as if he can see inside my head, and I really hope he can’t. “Late night out?”

“Girls’ night,” I mumble, staring down into my cup of coffee. Yesterday’s coffee, warmed in the microwave. Can’t be picky when you need a pick-me-up.

“Was it fun?” he asks.

I frown. “Can I say I’m not sure?”

He chuckles softly, and the sound is so unlike Casey’s chuckle and yet so deep it vibrates in my belly, making me feel hot all over. “Can I say, sure?”

My mouth quirks. I catch a glimpse of his smile as I turn away. Looking at him is dangerous. He’s too hot by far.

“Anyway, I’m going jogging,” he says, finishing his water and getting back up. “Don’t just have coffee. Make sure to eat something.”

I stare at him. Why am I surprised he’s concerned about me? We are friends.

Were.

Are.

Overload. See what I mean? Especially after what happened with Casey, and I’ve known Casey for, what, a week? Not even.

Which is not that bad, I tell myself. at least it isn’t as if you’ve been friends and your friendship might suffer. Plus, you did sleep with Zayne and you still go to his classes, and is there any unease between you?

… yeah, there is.

Crap.

“Okay then.” Ronin rubs the back of his neck. Such a masculine gesture. It’s as if he’s pensive or nervous. “You wouldn’t like to tag along, by any chance? Nah, you’re feeling off. Forget it.” He shakes his head and heads to the door.

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