The melody of his smooth voice singing Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey,” mixed in with the gentle water sounds from the showerhead sends a shiver up my spine.
I grip the edge of the door. I shouldn’t be reacting this way. Not to a man I barely know. Not to anyone
As soon as I’m back downstairs in my kitchen, I throw the stained dish towel into the washing machine and pull out my phone.
Me: Bella Silver!
Bella: Erin Silver Callahan!
Me: Why did you send him over?
Bella: You had my bag with Brodie’s keys.
Me: And Chase just happened to bring my favorite coffee with him when he came for them?
Bella: He did? Woah. What a coincidence. Now stop texting me. You have a guest and don’t hog the cheese sauce!
Me: He’s not here right now.
Bella: I will kill you if you tell me you sent that hot-as-fuck man away!
Me: He’s in the shower.
Bella: OMG! Get it girl!
Multimedia message incoming.
I roll my eyes and open it. It’s a picture of Bella giving me a thumbs-up.
Me: You’re an idiot. You know full well I didn’t shower with him.
Bella: Shame.
Me: Is that a bird on your T-shirt?
Bella: I think so. It’s Brodie’s. I slept in it last night, and I’m definitely stealing it.
Me: I hope you were safe.
Bella: Yes, MOM! See you at the game!
I scoffat her last text message, shake my head, and distract myself with cleaning.
There’s a beautiful man in my shower.
I’ve never had a guy in my house before, let alone in my bathroom. He probably thinks my shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel collection surpasses obsession.
My hands busy themselves with soapy water as I soak the dish in the sink.
I wasn’t expecting to have breakfast with Chase—or anyone else, for that matter—and the next thing I know, he’s at my table enjoying a meal I didn’t prepare for him.
It was all going smoothly, too. For a moment, I was just a girl enjoying a guy’s company, but then he touched me. There was nothing sexual, flirty, or suggestive about it.
But I felt that zap.
Right down to my core.
Chase didn’t seem to notice the war raging inside my head as I chanted my mantras over and over again.
