I’m sure my smile is blinding, because there’s no way the sparks setting off inside me aren’t visible.
There’sa knock on the door, and I freeze.
Oh my God. He’s here.
I start running around the kitchen. Is everything in its place? I cleaned this place from top to fucking bottom when I got home from our afternoon game. I’m opening cabinets, and I have no fucking idea why.
“Jesus Christ.” Paulie’s amused exclamation fills the kitchen. He grabs my shoulders and points to the table. “Sit.”
I do as I’m told.
Paulie goes and answers the door while my foot taps an erratic rhythm.
Jed’s “nice place” drifts into the room. His gaze lands on me and I barely,barelyprevent myself from waving over-enthusiastically Forest Gump style. And only because I’m holding onto the wooden seat. I am so hopped up from excitement I probably should have taken a Benadryl. Or an elephant tranquilizer.
He walks over, and damn, he looks good. Gooder than usual. Like maybe he put in extra effort? That skin-tight waffle shirt is fucking doing it for me. His biceps arebitable.But I’m not biting anything tonight. Nope. Gonna be such a good boy. Self-control is my middle name.
He stops in front of me. “Hey.”
My fingers tighten around the seat of the chair. “Hi.”
“Why are you holding onto that seat like it’s a life raft?”
Be cool, Shane.
“No reason.” I slowly stand, even though my insides are bouncing around like ping-pong balls. “So, ah…welcome to our humble abode. I’ll give you a quick tour.”
I backtrack toward the entryway and show him where the bathroom is really quick. “So, kitchen and living room are pretty self-explanatory. My room is back by the front door. Then the rest of the rooms are up the stairs.”
“So, this is Paulie’s brother’s place?” Jed asks.
I lead him up the stairs. “Yeah. Frankie is an actuarial consultant. I have no idea what that means, but I know there are numbers involved, that he’s super fucking smart, and makes good money. He’s giving us a steal on rent.”
Like the three of us just split the utilities, and we don’t actually pay anything toward rent. Which is really fucking fortunate considering we make jack all shit for salary.
We reach the top of the stairs, and I point to the bedroom in front of us. “East’s room.” Then throw my thumb over my shoulder. “Another bathroom, Paulie’s room, and then Frankie’s room at the end.” I walk toward the door that’s directly in front of the stair landing. I push through it. “And this is our small balcony.”
There’s a small corner couch and table, which takes up pretty much all the space.
“This is a nice space. I’d spend a lot of time out here.”
I had the same thought. It’s peaceful out here. Calming. Like the guy standing next to me. I could see us kicking back up here. It’s cozy and does end up being a couple’s corner for the ones who live here. My gaze traces over Jed’s moonlit features, down his jaw and over his lips. I…get the appeal.
My body buzzes with the need to kiss him. I move toward him but hesitate. It’s going to be game over the minute I touch him.
He takes a step toward me, then reaches up and tugs on my topknot. Oh, right. I pull it out and send him a smile. “Forgot I had that in.” I’d thrown it up when I was cleaning. I scrub my hands through my hair and shake it out.
“I like it.”
“Yeah?” Woof, that sounded eager.
His huff of laughter confirms it. “I like it down because I like sinking my hands in it.” He tugs on a wave. “But, yeah, I like it up too.” His gaze sweeps over my face. “I can see more of you that way.”
Oh. Damn. “That was, like, real smooth, Pebs,” I whisper.
“Pebbles do tend to be that way.”
A surprised laugh bursts from me. “Sweet talking and joking? I have no hope.”
