I position myself in the hallway outside her room, leaning against the wall in what I hope is a casual, effortlessly attractive pose. Then I reconsider and try a different angle. Then I cross my arms. Uncross them. Try one hand in my pocket, the other braced against the wall.
This is stupid.
Footsteps on the stairs.
I settle on leaning with one shoulder against the wall, arms crossed, head tilted slightly. Confident but approachable. Sexy but not trying too hard.
June appears at the top of the stairs, and I forget every pose I’ve ever practiced.
She’s even more beautiful up close. The blue of her dress brings out those hazel eyes that have been haunting me since the moment I first saw them. The fabric pulls across her bustin a way that makes it very difficult to know where to look, and her legs in those boots go on for miles. She’s got her hair tucked behind one ear, showing the curve of her neck, and I want to press my lips to that spot more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
Carter is behind her, carrying two roller bags, and the smug look on his face tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“Hey, doll,” I manage, and my voice comes out rougher than I intended. “Welcome home.”
Her lips curve into a smile. “You’re having way too much fun with this, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely zero idea what you mean.” I push off the wall and gesture down the hallway. “Come on. Let me show you to your room.”
“My room. That’s still so weird to say.”
“It won’t be weird for long.” I lead the way, hyperaware of her presence behind me, the soft sound of her boots on the hardwood floor. “Fair warning, we may have gone a little overboard with the decorating.”
I push open the door and step aside so she can enter.
She takes three steps into the room and stops dead. “Oh.” Her voice is small. “That’s… a lot of pink.”
“Too much?”
“It’s like a flamingo had a really productive day.” But she’s smiling as she says it, her eyes sweeping over the cushions and blankets and carefully arranged luxuries. “You did all this?”
“Wanted you to feel at home.”
She moves farther into the room, trailing her fingers over the throw blankets, examining the snacks on the dresser. Then her gaze lands on the bed. Specifically, on Flat Kai.
Her laugh is sudden and loud, bright enough to light up the whole room. “Is that?—”
“A body pillow. With my image on it. For your convenience.”
“For myconvenience.”
“When you’re lonely and can’t have the real thing.” I wink. “I’ve got you covered, doll.”
She walks over to the bed and picks up Flat Kai, holding him at arm’s length. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes sparkling with amusement and something else. Something warmer.
“This is hilarious and thoughtful. It’s the most absurd gift anyone has ever given me.”
I move closer. “Do you like it?”
She looks at the pillow. Then at me. Then back at the pillow. “I love it,” she admits. “It’s insane, but I love it.”
“Then my work here is done.”
Carter is standing in the doorway with her bags and a raised eyebrow. “Where do you want these?”
“Anywhere is fine.” June sets Flat Kai down gently, arranging him against the pillows like he belongs there. “Thank you. Both of you. This is… way more than I expected.”
Her voice is steady, but her hands aren’t. She smooths the edge of the blanket twice, then touches her bag strap like she’s checking that it’s still there, like her body doesn’t quite believe she’s allowed to put things down. Her gaze keeps flicking to the door, the windows, the hallway, even while she’s smiling.
