Landon’s eyes flick to mine, something unreadable flickering there. “I did once already. I’m not doing it again.”
I nod slowly, my throat tight for reasons I can’t quite name. Then I tip my head back against the edge of the tub and let the silence stretch. The area is darker than the pool, with only the lights in the hot tub illuminating the area.
And stars slowly start appearing in the night sky. They seem brighter here. I’m not sure if I can see them in New York City; I don’t think I ever take the time to look up. Actually, the last time I remember looking at the stars was in Georgia. With Landon.
My heart beats harder in my chest, and my perfume spikes between us. I’m glad for the smell of the chlorine blocking most of it out. Still, I can feel my cheeks heat, and it has nothing to do with the warmth of the hot tub. His fingers brush my shoulder, and it doesn’t feel deliberate, but my body almost demands more.
I shift closer without meaning to, and his hand brushes the back of my neck. He doesn’t say anything, but I can sense him tensing next to me. He’s as aware of me as I am of him.
His fingers brush the back of my neck again, feather-light. Maybe accidental. Maybe not. But I feel it everywhere.
The water hums around us, quiet compared to the laughter still echoing from the pool. My skin buzzes, heat curling low in my belly, confusing and old and brand new all at once.
I don’t move away. Neither does he.
Our shoulders are barely touching now, his arm close enough that I can feel the warmth of his skin through the ripples. I turn slightly, meeting his gaze in the soft blue glow of the water. The light casts shadows across his face, highlighting the jaw I’ve traced with my fingers, the lips I’ve felt.
His eyes flick down. Just for a second. Just enough.
I don’t think. I just lean in, only a breath. Barely a tilt of my head. But he’s already meeting me halfway.
And then?—
A splash. A loud one.
“Jesus, it’s a sauna in here!” Daisy yelps as she drops into the hot tub. “You two are insane—wait…”
Her eyes bounce between us, eyebrows shooting up like she’s just walked in on something way more naked than this.
“Oh. Ohhhh. Carry on,” she says, hands raised, laughing as she starts to scoot away. “Don’t mind me. Just pretend I’m invisible.”
I blink, stunned. Landon clears his throat and shifts backslightly, his hand moving from my neck so fast it makes my heart pound.
Daisy freezes. “Wait, shit. You were about to kiss, weren’t you? Ugh—I ruined it. I totally ruined it.”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” Landon says quickly, voice low but polite as ever. He stands, reaching for his towel without looking at me. “I was just heading out anyway.”
I watch him step out of the tub, water streaming down his chest, muscles tight with restraint.
“Night, Willow,” he says softly, and then he’s gone, disappearing around the hedge with nothing but steam in his wake.
Daisy sinks lower into the bubbles beside me, grimacing. “Okay, fine. I ruined it. My bad. I thought you two were just marinating, not—” she twirls her finger in a circle between us, “emotionally sous-viding.”
I give her a flat look. “Did you seriously just say sous-viding?”
“Look, I panicked,” she whispers dramatically. “You were all glowy and close, and I thought someone maybe passed out or got cooked alive. I was trying to be the responsible one.”
I snort. “You cannonballed into the middle of a moment, Daisy.”
“Yeah, well…how was I supposed to know you were about to kiss your ex-scent match in a hotel hot tub like it’s a telenovela?”
I groan, burying my face in my hands. “You’re the worst.”
She nudges my shoulder with hers. “You love me.”
“Unfortunately.”
We sit in silence for a second, the bubbles gurgling between us.
