“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Go get cozy.” With a playful bump from his hip, Garrett turns towards the kitchen.
Stop it, stomach.I press a hand to the soft flesh of my belly, hoping the pressure will simmer down the butterflies that fluttered to life at the image of getting “cozy” with Garrett. His arm folded around me as I snuggle into his side, holding a purring Ditka as he watches the hockey game.
Bad girl.I snap the rubber band on my wrist.
The sting is a momentary reprieve from these intrusive crush thoughts, but it’s clear my attempt to Pavlov’s-dog-away this crush is failing. Yet, I remain in this man’s presence six daysa week. Part of me knows I should pull back. That my time with Garrett should be relegated to our training sessions. It’s something Dr. Nor and I are discussing, but I don’t want to.
“I’ll go cozy-up then.” With a bite of the inside of my cheek to tamp down my body’s reaction to Garrett, I scoop up my tote bag from the entryway and head to the bathroom to change.
The bonus of Anker’s recent love affair with his couch is that I get to rock comfy clothes all night. As fun as it is to dress cute, I love wearing leggings and a hoodie. I slip on some soft black leggings, a blue tank top, and tug on the hoodie I scooped up from the end of my bed this morning.
Pulling my hair up into a messy bun, I stride into the living room. Anker never moves furniture without prepping me and, despite his recent injury impacting his motivation to move around, he’s kept things clear. His thoughtfulness allows me unrestricted movement through his house.
“Sausage, right?” Garrett calls from the kitchen.
“Yes, please,” I shout. “Ooh…and?—”
“Three garlic knots with two tablespoons of sauce,” he laughs his reply.
“Thanks!” Grinning, I swipe my hand along the couch cushion to ensure there’s nothing there and then plop down beside Anker. Within seconds, Ditka jumps up and snuggles onto my lap.
“Hey, buddy.” Anker twists to offer Ditka ear scratches. “Jensen, why are you wearing Garrett’s clothes?”
“Excuse me?” Brow creased, I look down at myself and then back at him, realization’s heat creeps up my neck.
The sweatshirt I grabbed is the one Garrett had lent me when I went to his place after Miles ditched me at the bar. The hoodie I’ve been wearing far more than is appropriate for a woman trying to get over a crush, and for some unknown reason, I am wearing it now.
“I…” I gape, trying to find the words.
“I lent it to her,” Garrett says, his tone matter-of-fact, as he enters the room with a plate in hand. “You know how cold our pampered princess gets.”
“If it’s not at least seventy degrees, she acts as if she’s been left naked in the Arctic.”
“That she does.” Garrett chuckles. “Sorry, buddy, cuddles after food.” He scoops up Ditka, who lets out a perturbedmeow. “Plate. Pizza slice three o’clock, three garlic knots with your preferred sauce ratio at six o’clock, and some salad at nine o’clock,” he murmurs, holding it in front of me.
“Salad?” I lift one eyebrow.
“The only greens in your diet can’t be peanut M & M’s.” Garrett’s scold is playful.
“Peanut M & M’s are healthy. Everyone knows that. Peanuts are packed with protein.” A wry expression kicks across my face.
“I’ll be sure to share that with my patients,” he drawls. “Fork, for the salad that you won’t eat andnotto stab me.” He hands me a fork and a napkin.
“Now, there’s an idea.” Placing the plate on my lap, I hold up the fork and mimic how I imagine a swordswoman would threaten her enemies.
“Don’t worry, her aim is shit,” Anker teases. “She… Ouch!”
“What was that, dear brother?” I hum, tapping my free hand against where I just stabbed him—well, rather poked his upper arm forcefully—with my fork.
“Christ, Jensen,” Anker grumbles.
“It’s your own fault for breaking our no more than one blind joke a day rule.” Smugness fills my features.
“Ruthless.” Garrett’s laugh is a low rumble that crackles awake every single one of my nerve endings.
His laugh. I bite back the giant grin lighting my face. It’s not quite the unbridled belly-deep, body-racking laugh that’s my goal, but the sound is still music to my ears.
