“Turner!” a voice calls out from inside. “Shut the fucking door. There’s a draft.”
I can’t hear it well enough to determine whose it is, but regardless, I owe them, becauseTurnerturns on his heels and heads inside, dragging his beast of a dog inside with him. I let out a sigh of relief, and then pull my phone out as soon as I know I’m in the clear.
Unknown: This is Calvin Bradford. Are you busy?
I stare at the message, my eyes jumping back to the farm cabin.Is this a joke? Does he know I’m out here?My head whips around myself, searching for some sign of him watching me—a blinking red light,something.
Instead, my phone buzzes again.
Unknown: My house? I can make dinner, if you haven’t eaten.
My instincts keep screaming it’s a set up, but the other part of me…
Well, I’m just too fucking curious.
Chapter 27
Bradford
Maybe invitingher over was a mistake.I pace the kitchen, staring at the ingredients I’ve already set out on the counter. I’d encourage anyone else to take the jump and do something for themselves… So, why is this so goddamn hard for me?
Because I didn’t expect her to say ‘yes.’ That’s why.
My eyes bounce to the window. I keep waiting for Dr. Williams’ headlights to cut through the night, and I run my palms across my denim, as I imagine the SUV bouncing down my driveway. I don’t know what seeing her again is going to do to my mind, but I can’t keep avoiding it.
This shit is going to get a lot worse if I keep doing that.
Still, I barely know this woman, but I have…feelings. And a hell of a lot of suspicions. Maybe thosearethe feelings, and this is justresearch.
Or the possessive fuck I am is coming to the surface again.
I push that thought away as my phone buzzes, and I feel the vibration against my upper thigh. My heart jumps with anticipation, and the hair on my arms stands up. It could just be Turner, complaining about babysitting Cade.
I mean, Dr. Williams has every fucking right to just…ignoreme.
“And that could be for the best,” I say to myself, as I dig my phone out of my pocket.
I feel a little shame for responding with so much anticipation for this whole thing.Another reminder that I am out of control.My stomach sinks deeper, as I hold the device in my hand, screen down. I could just put it back in my pocket. Ignore it. Like I do everything.
Or not.
I roll the phone in my hand, so it lights up.
Jenna: OMW. I’m starving!
A stupid burst of excitement rushes over me. My face flushes unwantedly, and I know it’s obvious. This is bad. I’m acting like a fucking teenager on his first date.
So, I roll my shoulders and distract myself.
I fill a pot with water and put it on the stove. I set a box of penne pasta next to it. I preheat the oven to 350 and start preparing the garlic bread. Then I get to work slicing tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil. The mechanical motions of making dinner give my hands something to do, but they don’t stop my head from spinning.
I hope this goes well. But what does ‘well’ even mean? More sex? Deeper bonding? What the fuck do I even want out of this? A distraction from Cade?
“Don’t spiral,” I mutter under my breath, just as I dump the finished noodles through the strainer. However, as the gush of steam fills the air, the knock on the door causes my heart to jump.
Shit. This is it. I have to let her in now.
I leave everything where it is, and make my way to the front door, wiping my hands on a dish towel as I go. One last exhale comes steadily from my parted lips, as I pull the door open.
