“Don’t rain check. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Good.” It really was, because there was a huge part of him that was looking forward to her being a part of the family gathering, too.
CHAPTER 23
Aspen groaned.
Tired. Way too freaking tired.
What was the time?
She cracked one eye open but quickly scrunched it shut again.
Why was it so bright in here when the curtains were closed? That meant it was late, right?
This was Jesse’s fault. He’d kept her up late last night. Although, it had been worth it.
The heat in her belly did a little dance at the memory of everything they’d done in the shower…then out of the shower against the wall…then in bed.
She rolled over and reached for him, but her hand touched cold sheets.
Her eyes popped open. He wasn’t here. This was the first time in days she’d woken without him. But then, it was late. Or at least, she was pretty sure it was late.
Something sounded in the other room. The subtle clatter of pans.
Jesse. He was clearly up. While her lazy butt had slept in.
She threw off the sheets and climbed out of bed before pulling one of Jesse’s shirts over her head on the way to the door. The shirt smelled exactly like him and it enveloped her.
She stepped into the hall, then the living room, only to grind to a halt, fear shooting through her system.
A man stood by the coffee machine, back toward her. A tall man with broad shoulders. Similar to Jesse, but not Jesse. His hair was slightly lighter, and there was something different about the way he stood.
He turned and she gasped, lifting a lamp from a side table and yanking the cord from the socket. What she woulddowith the lamp, she wasn’t sure. This guy was huge, in height and width. His biceps were freaking massive. But if he came toward her, she’d swing like her life depended on it.
“Who are you and what are you doing in this house?”
He glanced at the lamp, then back to her. He almost looked…amused? Did he find thisfunny?
He lifted his hands. “Aspen—”
“You know my name? How do you know my name? And where’s Jesse?”
“I’m Holden. And I’m not here to hurt you. If I was, would I be making coffee?”
Well…no, but it was early, and she didn’t know what the heck was going on.
“Holden…” Her frown deepened. “Holden, as in Jesse’s best friend?”
“That’s me. And Jesse’s—”
The back door opened, and a shirtless Jesse stepped in. “Thanks. I needed that run.” He stopped, eyes going to the lamp in her hand, moving down her body, then returning to her face. “Aspen.”
Holy freaking shit. She was wearing his shirt.Onlyhis shirt. No panties. No bra. In front of his best friend. Her nipples were probably poking through the material.
Her pulse picked up speed, but she plastered the fakest smile she could muster on her face as she looked at Holden. “Excuse me while I put on some actual clothes.”
She spun and speed-walked back to the bedroom, almost running, before closing the door behind her with a loud thud.
