Go forandgot.
Apart from that mess, I want to kiss Everly so bad—and if holding her happens to make the hurt go away, I’m good with that, too.
She’s not your rebound, Knox.Honestly, I’m not in need of the reminder. I have a strong sense Everly is on course to be far more than that. The last thing I want to do is mess things up with her because I’m hung up on an unworthy ex.
I amnothung up on Becca. It’s the entirety of the situation that’s tripping me up.
“Everything okay over there?”
I consider my hand in the air and realize I just swept it through my hair as I do when I fall into one of my contemplative zones. Probably, I sighed too. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
She yawns, exhaling sleepily. “I guess we should go to…sleep.”
Sleep. That’s better thanbed, one of many euphemisms for the elephant in the room.
My gaze falls to her mouth. My swallow is painfully hard. “Guess so.” The credits are rolling, and without a distraction, my mind has zero hope of staying on course. “Where’s the remote?”
As my hand fishes around for the control, it collides with hers on the same hunt. Both of us jerk back like we touched fire.
I turn off the television, get the extra blanket, and start unfolding.
“What are you doing?”
“Making my bed.”
“On the floor? Eww. The carpet is disgusting.”
I shrug. “Don’t think I’ll fit in the bathtub.”
Everly giggles. “Probably not.” She stands up, a little off-balance. “Can I get under the covers?”
I don’t chance looking at her as I shake out the blanket. I catch it to me before it hits the, yes, nasty, carpet. “If you dare. I shower every night. Promise.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
I let her comment ride, heap the thin blanket back onto the table, and retreat to the bathroom. Inside, I press my forehead to the wall and deliver a peptalk to myself. Whisper a prayer for good measure.
When I return, I know in an instant I might as well have tossed my effort into the waste basket. Everly has turned off the lamp on her side of the bed—her side of the bed—and somehow manages to look even more enticing. It’s not like she’s trying or anything, but she’s taken off the rhinestone clip that’s been holding her hair from her face all night, and its absence makes her luscious hair wisp around her face for an even softer look.
“We can both sleep on the bed, Knox.”
I stare.
“Aw, it’ll be fine. Yes, it’s a weird situation, but we can handle it. We’re both adults here.”
Doesn’t she realize that’s precisely the problem?
“Why don’t I sleep under the covers and you sleep on top with the blanket?”
Trust me, that’s no solution. But, the way I see it, arguing only stands to make matters more awkward. If she’s chill with the arrangement, then surely I can do my part.
“Fine.” I prop the extra pillow on top of the one already occupying the empty spot—the empty spot beside a gorgeous woman. Don’t want to bust her eardrum with my snoring or anything.
Right. Like I’m going to sleep tonight.
I shut off the lamp on my side and bury myself under the blanket. Next to me, Everly’s phone screen glows, reflecting off her face. “Hey, look. There’s actual snow on the radar. Supposedly heading our way.” She turns the device for me to see.
“Fantastic.” I barely peep, keeping my eyes to the safety of the ceiling.
