“So … you’re roommates?” Nick asks hesitantly when the silence stretches too long.
“I live in Baton Rouge and only come to Camellia a couple of days a week for work,” Rowan answers. “I usually stay at my sister’s while I’m in town, but Claire lets me crash here sometimes.”
“What he didn’t say is that said sister just married his best friend, and he doesn’t like to hang around while they’re ‘trying for a baby,’ ” I explain to Nick.
Nick forces a smile and draws an imaginary line in the air between Rowan and me. “And the two of you met … how?”
Our eyes lock as we silently debate how to answer that question.
“His sister and I are coworkers,” I finally manage to say.
“Right.” Nick furrows his brow, probably trying to make the connection between “coworker’s brother” and “guy friend who stays over on the regular.”
Another uncomfortable silence ensues until Rowan speaks up. “Well, I can see why you weren’t answering the phone, and it’s not because you’re sick, since you’re obviously entertaining a guest. So I’ll just leave this here and head over to Daisy and Landry’s. Sorry about the interruption.”
He steps forward to drop a grocery bag onto the counter, backing away just as quickly. And even though this was exactly the result I’d hoped for, I feel a flicker of disappointment when he doesn’t put up a fight.
“You didn’t have to ...” My voice gets caught in my throat when I realize he’s brought me another PMS care package, this one with twopints of salted caramel ice cream, one of them bearing a peanut-free label. “Thank you,” I croak out.
“Have a good night,” Rowan says, shooting me an apologetic smile before he backs out of the house and shuts the door behind him.
I stare at the empty doorway for a second before I hear Nick huff out a laugh, and I turn to look at him questioningly.
“He had me worried for a second there,” he says mockingly.
“What do you mean?”
Nick shrugs and takes a sip from his beer bottle. “Guy walks in like he owns the place, so I’m thinking he might be the competition. Then he apologizes, like he’s the one encroaching onmyterritory.” He chuckles to himself, and I frown.
“And what makes you so sure there’s no competition?” I ask, my tone hardening.
He glares at me. “If anything were going on, he wouldn’t have backed off so easily.”
I lift my chin and ignore the stinging in my eyes. “Maybe he’s just a nice guy.”
“Either way, I’m good. Women like you don’t do bad things with nice guys,” he drawls, leering at me before he takes another sip.
“And exactly what kind of woman am I?” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest, but the door flies open again before I get my answer.
“Hey,” Rowan says, sounding a little out of breath, and I can’t help the thrill that runs through me.
“You’re back?” I ask.
“Yeah. I was going to leave when—funny story—I realized you never said you didn’t want me here,” he replies carefully.
Nick scoffs and shoots me an amused look. “She’s saying it now.”
Rowan’s eyes meet mine. “Are you?”
My breathing gets shallow as he continues staring at me, measuring my reaction. “I … I’m on a date,” I choke out.
“I know, and I’ll leave as soon as you tell me to go,” he continues, taking another step inside. “I just need to hear you say it.”
“Come on, bruh, she obviously?—”
“Nobody asked you, Nate.” Rowan’s gaze doesn’t stray from mine.
“It’s Nick,” my date mumbles.
