I bang my head against the steering wheel, trying to shake off this weird feeling I’ve had ever since I got up this morning.
I didn’t sleep like shit, but I had some weird dreams for sure and that definitely affected my morning. I must’ve hit snooze a couple times too many, because by the time I actually got up, I had barely had a half hour to get my ass ready and over to the restaurant to meet Aaron. I take my job and my client’s time seriously. Especially because a good bit of my clients tend to be very successful people who run on tight schedules. Aaron did say he flew in yesterday, and that he’s a businessman—which he didn’t elaborate on this morning, so I think it’s safe to assume he’s probably one of those super-schedule individuals. Especially judging by the fact he texted me fifteen minutes before our scheduled time. Thankfully, luck was on my side this morning, but I’m not looking to press it this evening.
Which means, I need to get my stuff, head home, and be ready by at least four thirty at the latest, just in case Mr. Perfect shows up early.
When I finally get back to my apartment, it’s nearing one-forty five and I’m stressed.
I manage to drag all my groceries inside in one shot—I live on the third floor of this building, and I refuse to take the elevator after it nearly got stuck on me once—getting stuck in an elevator is my worst fear. Whoever said hauling your groceries up three flights of steps wasn’t a workout, I challenge them to carry my fucking groceries up these damn stairs.
When I open the door, I find Noah curled up on my couch with my damn Peach Rings, reading my copy ofBroken Vows, Secret Games Book Oneby Penny and Ariel Dawn.
I think Hell has literally frozen over.
“What the hell are you doing?” I squeak.
For starters, my brother doesn’t read, period, let alone readromancenovels. I’ve suggested titles to him over the years, but he always pushes me off and tells me he’s not into that shit, and though he doesn’t judge my romance novel obsession, he doesn’t get it, either.
“Um… I’m reading.” He rolls his eyes at me with a smirk. “What the fuck does it look like?”
“Well, could you maybe stop, and you know, give me a hand here?” I bite, feeling strangely self-conscious. If he was interested in checking out some of my books, I would have gladly given him a recommendation for something I think would be more up his alley. Like maybeLights Outby Navessa Allen.
He whines. “Buuut I just got to the good part!”
I roll my eyes, drop the bags to the ground, and head over to grab the book out of his hands.
“Hey! I was reading that!” he bitches.
I note he’s barely a few chapters in and raise an eyebrow when I read the page he’s on.
“This isn’t the good part,” I said, tossing the book on the couch. “They’re in the airport. He hasn’t even kissed him yet.”
“Spoilers, man, come on!” My brother huffs as he gets up and heads over to where I dropped my bags.
“Yeah, yeah, like you’d actually read the whole thing,” I bite back. He helps me unload, shooting me a scathing look.
“You’re in a mood,” he quips.
“I got stuck in traffic and it’s almost two and I need to be ready by like four and—”
“Why you all pressed over this date tonight?” he asks, pulling out half a watermelon and a container of strawberries.
“I’m not pressed, I’m just—”
“I mean, I get it’s last minute, but you’re not usually this uptight, so what gives?”
I methodically pull out my groceries while he works on his pile, letting out a sigh.
“My meeting this morning…” I settle the box of cereal on the island. “I met him.”
Noah turns, raising an eyebrow. “Oh. So it’s ahim.”
I nod.
“He hot?”
“Very.” I pull out a package of grapes and cucumbers next as Noah opens the fridge to put away the watermelon and containers of fruit.
“So that’s why you got your briefs in a twist.”
