He smiles like he’s amused, like he’s not bothered at all, but I still groan and cover my face with my hands.
“Oh my god, I did?”
He lets out a low, rough chuckle. “Yup.”
I can just imagine what I must have looked like, throwing myself at him. “I’m really, really sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. It was adorable.”
I drop my hands from my face and look at him. “I’ve never been drunk like that before, so I had no idea that’s how I’d act.”
“Don’t be embarrassed, Poppy. I liked it.”
“You did?”
He nods, that sexy smile still dancing across his thick lips. “It’s a nice little ego boost being lusted after by you.”
I shove his shoulder. We both laugh.
For a second, we just sit next to each other, smiling, the air thick between us. My gaze falls to his lips, and I think about our kiss. I wonder if he’s thinking about it too.
My stomach growls, and I let out a flustered laugh.
“You need to eat,” he says, his gaze focused as he looks at me.
“You’re probably right.” I glance down at my lap. “So, um, you stayed the night last night?”
“Yeah. I wanted to be here in case you needed anything.”
That warm feeling inside of me intensifies.
“You slept on the couch?” I ask.
He nods, grinning, then runs a hand through his messy hair. “That’s how I got this great new hairstyle, from being wedged against the arm of your couch.”
I wince. “Sorry. It’s way too small for you to sleep on. You should have gone home. You didn’t need to stay just for me…”
He scoops my hand in his. “Hey. Stop apologizing, okay?”
I swallow hard at the command in his low, rough tone.
“There was nothing in the world that would have kept me from you last night, Poppy. I wanted to be here. I wanted to take care of you.”
All my insides go warm and gooey. I’m not even his real girlfriend, and he went out of his way to take care of me.
My tummy dips, just like it does every time Nick does something sweet for me. I like him so much.
He stands up, still holding my hand. I stand up with him.
“I’ll make you breakfast,” he says.
“Okay. Thank you,” I say softly. “I’ll change and then meet you out in the kitchen.”
He leaves my bedroom, closing the door behind him. I slip out of my dress and pull on a pair of shorts and Nick’s hoodie.
I walk out, run to the bathroom to pee and brush my teeth, then head into the kitchen. I see him standing there, whiskingeggs in a bowl. He looks up at me, and his eyes widen. He stops stirring, and his mouth parts open.
I tug at the hem of the hoodie. “I hope it’s okay that I’m wearing this. I know I joked about keeping it forever, but I really should have given it back to you days ago. It’s just so cozy and warm. I love it. I wear it all the time when I’m at home.”
