“Me too. It was great hanging out with you. And I’m always here if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
“I mean that, Indy. I know a lot about shitty parents. One parent in particular, actually. So if you ever want to talk…”
I nodded again and gave her another real smile. “Thanks again.”
We exchanged waves, then I walked the short distance to Dylan’s. The second I closed the door behind me, I collapsed against it with a sigh.
That had been a lot.
I’d been so alone for so long—even living with my dad, I hadn’t felt like I could ever relax really. I wanted him to like me—ached for him to love me.
More fool me.
“Shit, I’d hoped it would’ve gone better for you.”
I flinched.
Opening my eyes, I found him walking down the hall toward me, gray sweatpants low on his hips, his hair wet from the shower, and absolutely nothing covering his chest.
Wow.
“I-I-I…” My breath left me in a stutter. I couldn’t make my brain work. It should be illegal for this man to ever wear a shirt.
“It’s okay.” He shrugged. “I don’t think what they read is for everyone, but I was hoping they’d make you feel included. Is it the age difference?”
How had I never noticed how absolutely gorgeous Dylan was?
I blamed the girls. They put these thoughts into my head with all that talk about me and Dylan being together.
“Indie? You okay?”
I blinked a few times. He was talking about book club and his cousin and his future sisters-in-law. I blinked again. “Um, I guess it didn’t help that I was late. Apparently Maddie had some drama at work, and the whole mood was just…off.”
Like me right now.
Shaking my head, I pushed away from the door and headed for the kitchen. Not because I was hungry. I just needed to do something with my hands and distract myself from the way I wanted to follow that line of muscle that veed into his waistband.
Only the sink was empty.
And so was the counter.
Not a dirty dish to be found.
The dishwasher whooshed, clueing me into the fact that I couldn’t even put the clean ones away.
“I already washed them.” Dylan walked into the tiny kitchen and rested his hip against the counter near me. So close I could reach out and touch all those muscles that were teasing me.
“I, uh, see that. Thanks.”
He tipped his head. “Only seemed fair, since you cooked.” He sighed. “Sorry that didn’t go better. I thought you’d hit it off with Hope at least since you two are closer in age.”
Laughter burbled out of me. “You sound like you’re trying to set me up on playdates. I am an adult, you know.”
His lips quirked and I could’ve sworn his cheeks flushed. “I know.” He shook his head.
“And it was fine. Mostly. Um, Hope invited me to her daughter’s birthday party. I guess it’s coming up.”
