“You’re very photogenic yourself.” Haddy’s eyebrow arches as she swipes her finger across the iPad screen. “These are very good pictures of you two.”
We walk over to study the pictures of Owen giving sultry looks at something behind the camera. Prickly heat climbs up the back of my neck when I remember where I was standing as the pictures were being taken. He was looking at me.
Maybethisis the money shot after all…
“I love the way you’re looking at each other in this group shot.” Haddy smiles at me. “You can feel the chemistry through the screen.”
Clearing my throat, I take my iPad from them. “Unless you have preferences, I’ll head up and pick the best ones to send for the calendar.”
“I like them all.” Mav walks over to flop on the couch, scooping up the remote. “Spanky’s my partner in crime.”
I have no idea what that means, but I look over to where Owen is standing at the foot of the stairs watching us.
“Owen?” My voice is soft. “Did you have a preference for pictures? We have the ones of you kneeling, but also the ones of you standing.”
“I do like that one,” Haddy says. “You have very nice hands for a hockey player.”
Owen actually seems a little embarrassed by the compliment, which only makes him hotter.
“I’ll let you decide,” he says, starting up the stairs. “You’re the experts here.”
It’s quiet when he leaves the room. None of my cousins say a word, and I can feel three sets of eyes boring into me. I can also feel the weight of what none of them are saying. It’s clear as day in the pictures, but neither Owen nor I seem ready to acknowledge it.
“Well, I’m heading upstairs,” I finally say, ready to get out of the pressure cooker.
“Have a good night, Gigi.” Haddy’s tone is pointed.
“I always had good luck on that floor,” Gavin adds, doing his best not to laugh.
Maverick is the only one not giving me a hard time, and I can only guess it’s because his eyes are glued to his phone.
I ignore Gav and Haddy’s innuendo, jogging up the stairs just in time to bump into Owen at the top. He’s fully clothed, leaving the bathroom, but he stops when he sees me.
“Hey…” he says quietly. “I had a really good time today. Your friend’s really good at his job.”
“Yeah, he has an amazing eye.”
We hesitate, struggling with all the unspoken words about what everyone could see in the pictures.
“Talking about photogenic, I thought you were really pretty in those pictures today.” His full lips press into a smile, and he melts me with that sexy blue gaze.
“Thank you,” I manage to say, blinking up at him.
Leaning forward, he puts a hand on the doorjamb above me. “I really enjoyed our walk the other day. I like talking to you.”
I lift my chin, getting closer to him. “I like talking to you, too.”
We’re blinking at each other, and that invisible pull is drawing us closer.Chemistryis definitely the word for it. It sparkles in the air around us. The only problem is what to do with it.
“I’m no good at relationships right now.” His voice is low, husky. “I’ve got my daughter and the new season starting. It doesn’t leave much time for anything else.”
My chest sinks, but he’s being honest. I appreciate honesty after my last… whatever it was.
“I know all about hockey players and hockey season,” I say.
“I’m not boyfriend material.” He seems to be struggling with the words.
My jaw tightens, and I don’t know why this makes me angry. “I’m sure you’re not. Why else would you decide I’m interested in you and then get mad about it?”
