“No, it isn’t. Maybe you can’t go home for the holidays, but my best friend is not spending Christmas alone in a stuffy apartment. You already said staying with me is out. Leila and Drew are still adjusting to living together, with little Kaia waking them up multiple times a night. I could always ask Kelsey, butshe sneaks off to who knows where a few times a week. Noah might have a rental available.”
“No,” I sigh, pulling up my imaginary big girl panties and rolling back my shoulders. “I’ll do it. I’ll stay with Reece.” Jett squeals in excitement as I continue. “But fair warning, there may only be one of us standing come Christmas morning.”
“I’m not worried, McKenna. He may be grumpy most of the time, but he’s the furthest thing from a Grinch this time of year.”
Hmph.
Instead of hanging around the barn at the risk of being caught ogling my holiday host, I head into town to put some distance between us.
I tried using the excuse that I needed to drive home to get my bags, but Jett called me out on it. I was supposed to start the drive to Raleigh tonight, so my luggage is already in the trunk. Sometimes, being an overachiever is underwhelming.
I study the floor space in front of me, the “For Lease” sign still taped to the floor-to-ceiling arched window. If dreams were free, this would be the new home of Naughty Peach Athletics. Most of my clients are virtual, but I have always wanted to expand into in-person sessions.
I created NPA when I was a freshman in college. One of my electives was a sports medicine course where I took a deep dive into bettering one’s self.
My husband at the time—don’t ask—demanded I go to class and come straight home. That course was my first silent rebellion. It still took too long to get out from under his thumb. It helped that I met a cute, brown-haired giant with green eyes and a weakness for my iced coffee habit. Weeks of campus walks and whispered coffee shop talks later, I realized what was happening—and that I had to find a way out. Then came the catch. He was my roommate’s brother.
He would have risked Jett’s wrath, but I couldn’t. Over the years, pushing him away has only gotten harder in the quiet moments.
Apparently, I spend too much time in my head, because a grumbly voice behind me nearly makes me drop my phone as I spin around. Not that I need to. The goosebumps and butterflies give him away before our eyes meet.
Damn. He looks nearly as good in a black V-neck as he does shirtless. The veins in his arms do nothing to detract from their appeal as he crosses them over his chest like my boss did earlier. Except when Reece does it, my eyes can’t help but follow every movement. When the fabric of his shirt pulls across muscles he usually hides, I know he’s doing it for my benefit.
I scoff and turn back to the window. “What do you want, Reece?”
“Now, is that any way to talk to your new roomie?” he asks, that stupidly attractive smirk of his reflecting back at me in the glass.
“Not funny.”
“It’s a little funny,” he says, pinching his fingers together. Damn if my lips don’t twitch at the sight.
“So, what? You’re stalking me around Havenwood now?” I ask, confused as to why he’s here in the first place.
“Actually, I was heading to pick up some chicken wraps and fries from Riley’s since my new house guest can’t eat the shrimp alfredo I’d planned for dinner.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I whisper, finally turning to look at him.
“No, but if a shellfish allergy takes you out, who will I torment then?” He chuckles, his arms spread open.
I shove the arm closest to me. “I mean it, Reece.” The heavy sigh that escapes nearly drags the day’s emotions with it, but I refuse to fall apart. Not right here on the main sidewalk inHavenwood. Small towns talk. The last thing I need is the ladies’ bingo group to start rumors about me. I pinch the bridge of my nose and wish for strength. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“You know what I mean.” I laugh, but the sound is weak. “Why did you drive all the way to Steele Valley with wrapped gifts for twenty toddlers? Why did you agree to let me crash with you? You didn’t even blink when Jett offered your place to me, and it’s not like you have extra room.”
“Last I heard, you were heading to your parents’ house for the holidays. Then suddenly, you show up with tear-streaked cheeks and this weight on your shoulders that I’ve never seen before.” He steps closer, his fingers brushing back a lock of hair until his breath tickles my ear. “Besides,” he whispers, “no one deserves to spend the holidays alone.”
Just as his lips brush against my skin, I feel a light tug before oxygen rushes back to my lungs.
“See you later, blue eyes,” he taunts, and I realize the tug I felt was Reece stealing the green clip-in bow from my hair.
“Reece! What are you, five?”
He backs away toward the local eatery with far too much pep in his step. “Thirty-five, but thanks for asking!” he shouts, and before I can say anything else, he slips through the door to Riley’s.
Chapter 3
Reece
