His nasty smirk and crude words rub me the wrong way and I clench my hands into fists at my side. “Ever had a light bulb moment, Cohen? ’Cause I had a big fucking bright one when you hit on the girl I like after you promised me you wouldn’t. The way you spoke to Stevie was disgusting, and while thisisabout her for me, it’s about way more. You treat women like shit, and we were wrong to laugh it off. I’m ashamed I called you my friend when you were behaving like the biggest fucking asshole.”
“Tell me what you really think,” Cohen snarls, and the mean contempt on his face makes me question how I ever liked the guy. I fucking hate he had sex with Stevie because no guy has ever been more undeserving of a woman.
“Guys, please.” Noah stalks into the kitchen with a towel wrapped around his waist and water dripping down his chest. “Do we have to do this again?”
“No, we don’t.” Snatching my keys and wallet from the table, I bend down and grab my bag from the floor. “I’ll be making myself scarce for the day and for the rest of the time we have left,” I add making a beeline for the front door.
* * *
I’m still all riled up hours later as I stand outside the door to Ellen and Stevie’s apartment, waiting to be let in.
When the door swings open, Stevie stands before me like a fiery goddess in a simple black dress with short sleeves and a knee-length hemline. It molds to her tempting rack, clings to her trim waist, and curves around her slim hips. Her beautiful hair hangs in glossy soft waves over her shoulders and down her back, and she has her usual light makeup on. She steals the breath from my lungs as she smiles at me, her stunning green eyes vibrant and full of life as she drinks me in. I’m just wearing jeans and Nikes with a plain white tee under my open black shirt, but her appreciation is obvious, and it helps to dispel the lingering threads of my bad mood.
“Hey, you,” she says, in a soft throaty voice that sends a shot of lust straight to my dick.
I have a feeling tonight is gonna be an extreme test of willpower, and I already gave my libido a stern talking to on the walk over here.
“Hey, yourself,” I say, finally finding my voice. I dart in and kiss her cheek. “You look beautiful.”
A flattering blush blooms across her skin, and it’s clear Stevie isn’t accustomed to praise from the opposite sex. Another thing I intend to remedy. “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.”
I hand her the bag I’m carrying. “I brought some drinks and snacks.”
“Great, thanks.” Taking the bag, she steps aside. “Where are my manners? Come in.”
“I bumped into Will and Ellen at the library earlier,” I say as we walk into the kitchen. “Are they here yet?”
Stevie sets the bag down on the counter and shakes her head. “There’s been a change of plan. They went out to eat, and I have a baked ziti in the oven for us. I hope you like it?” She removes the bottle of white wine from the bag along with the goodies for the movie.
“Love it,” I reply, sliding onto a stool. “Dawn makes it every week, and it’s my brothers’ favorite pasta dish.”
“That’s funny,” she says, going to the refrigerator. She places the wine I brought on the interior wine shelf and removes a couple of beers. “I used to make it weekly for my mom and my nana.” She hands me a cold beer, and our fingers brush in the exchange, sending a tingling sensation shooting over my hand and up my arm.
“Thanks.” I lift the bottle to my lips as she opens the oven door to check on dinner. Tempting aromas hit the back of my nose, and my stomach rumbles appreciatively. “It smells incredible.”
“It should be ready shortly,” she says, closing the oven door and walking to the counter where a chopping board and ingredients are laid out. “I’m just making a salad and some garlic bread to go with it. Will that be all right?”
“Anything you cook will be amazing. This is a first for me,” I admit with a wink.
Her brows climb to her hairline. “Are you saying none of your girlfriends cooked you a meal?”
“Nope, not a single one. The only woman who has ever cooked for me is Dawn.”
“Wow.”
“Most girls I have dated were clueless in the kitchen.”
“My mom is a disaster.” Stevie pops the top of her beer, taking sips as she finishes the salad. “She only has to glance at the kitchen, and the fire alarm goes off.” Her light laughter is music to my ears, and I’m obsessed with watching her hands as she prepares the rest of our meal.
“Is that how you learned to cook?”
“My nana taught me. She tried to teach Mom when she was a little girl, but that was an utter failure. It was either I learned or we starved.” She laughs again and my cock jumps behind my zipper.
“You sound super close to your nana.” She has mentioned her before, and it’s clear to see the admiration on her face and hear it in her tone.
“I am.” Sliding the salad in the fridge, she removes a bowl with butter. “My nana was as much my mom as my mom growing up. It’s why I said I never felt like I missed out with my dad.” She continues talking as she moves around the kitchen. “Mom and Nana ensured they were there for me for everything. Nana had breast cancer a few years ago, and it was so scary. The thought of ever losing her terrifies me.”
“Is she okay now?” I ask.
