“What is wrong with me? Get a grip, Bode,” I chide myself.
I have more important things to worry about. Like my kid.
Stevie and whatever feelings I might have for her can go on the back burner.
Feelings? What feelings?
See? I can do it.
ChapterSix
STEVIE
“Knock, knock.” I peek my head inside the pool house door. “Anyone home?”
“Stevie? What are you doing back here, sweetie?” Nan asks, popping up from the couch with more grace than someone her age should have.
“Bode took Caleb for a walk, so I thought I’d come see you.”
“This is a nice surprise.”
“I haven’t seen you much since I moved in.”
More like I needed to get away from Bode. Away from the scent of his cologne. Or bodywash? I can’t tell, but being around him makes things tingle that haven’t tingled in a long time.
Is it because of that swoopy hair that flops across his forehead? That perfect jaw line that always seems to have the right amount of scruff? Or those deep brown eyes that lock on to mine when I walk into a room?
I don’t need to be around another man like Bode right now. I don’t know him as far as I can throw him, but a man that good-looking can only be trouble.
“How about a glass of wine?” Nan smiles at me as she walks into the kitchen and grabs a bottle from the fridge.
“Sure.”
“I have your favorite rosé.” She winks at me.
“Thanks.” I look around the open floor plan of the pool house. “I’d definitely say you upgraded your digs, Nan.”
“Pool house, my ass. I don’t see a single thing in here to fix a pool,” Nan tells me, shaking her head and handing over a glass filled to the brim with pink liquid.
“Pretty sure you could fit all of my apartments in here and have room to spare.”
Wooden shutters are drawn over the French doors, hiding the living room and kitchen from the main house. A set of stairs at the back of the room leads up to the bedrooms.
Everything in here is cozy. It looks lived-in. Not that Bode’s place doesn’t, but his vibe feels more modern to me.
This? This looks exactly like how my Nan would live.
“Are you settling in?” Nan pats the space on the couch next to her and I take a seat.
“For the most part.” I nod, sipping on the cool, fruity wine. It’s needed after sorting through my pathetic box of things next door. “I don’t plan on being here that long.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to intrude. And Bode is basically a stranger.”
“A hot stranger,” Nan corrects.
“You cannot say that!” I sputter.
