“You okay?”
Chloe’s standing at the bottom of the stairs in an oversized sweatshirt that hangs off one shoulder and a pair of bike shorts. The cotton material catches the water dripping from her hair.
I shake myself out of my stupor. “Sorry. Just messaging with the guys.”
She walks around the couch and takes a seat next to me. “Everything okay with them?”
“They were checking in and seeing how everything is going here.”
Chloe winces. “I didn’t mean to make people worry about you too.”
“They’re fine. No one is going to worry because I told them we’ll be hanging out here for a week or two.”
I hope it’s two. I know Chloe isn’t in a good headspaceright now, and I’d like to be able to help her get back on her feet.
“You really are a lifesaver, Dax.”
“Do I need to buy one if you go skinny-dipping out back?” I laugh.
“Stop.” She swats at my chest. “I’m a good swimmer.”
“You know how cold that water is? It’s not like jumping into a swimming pool.”
She straightens her back. “Okay, then. You’re going to do it with me.”
“Wait, how did this get flipped back on me? I don’t have anything to prove.”
“You said you wanted to help me with my list, so this will be you helping.”
I can feel my dick shrinking into my body at the thought of the freezing-cold water. Even in the summer, it never gets warm. I’m hoping that’s one thing she won’t want to do.
“Ugh. Why can’t I ever say no to you?”
A triumphant grin slides into place. “That’s what I was hoping for.”
Helping Chloe with her list might be more than I bargained for. How am I going to be able to hide my feelings from her when I’m around her all the time while she’s having these new experiences? Aren’t these types of things supposed to bring people closer together?
Years of practice and being around Chloe helped put the mask in place, but now that there’s no boyfriend to speak of?
I don’t know how I’ll keep my emotions in check around her.
Chapter Five
CHLOE
Ican’t sit still. Pacing around the bedroom of the cabin, it’s hard to keep the antsy thoughts at bay. It’s only been a few days, but being out in the middle of the woods is making me stir-crazy.
I’ve never been one to sit around. I thought spending time with Dax at his home away from home would be just what I needed to clear my head and get past my fiasco of a wedding.
Turns out, I might need to get a move on with my list. Give me something to focus on instead of the repetitive cycle of thoughts.
Wedding. Duncan. Cheating. Running away. Wedding. Duncan. Cheating. Running away.
Rinse and repeat.
Is hiding out really going to solve any of my problems? Will my list help?
No. But it will help me feel better.
