The thing is, I don’t. I have plans with Cam later today, to punch his face, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Punching him, that is.
Not because I like his company.
“I really don’t. Not until later tonight.”
“Tonight?” His brow arches. “A hot date?”
I almost laugh. “No. Gym with my friend.”
I grab the blender, and spoon all the vegetables into it with a little broth. While that’s mixing, I dump about a cup of orzo into the rest of the broth and blend all the vegetables. Once blended, I dump it all back into the pot and stir. “There’s plenty here. Keep eating this and you’ll feel better in no time.”
He grabs a bowl from the cabinet and sets it down. Once the pasta softens, I ladle a couple of spoonfuls into it. It’s piping hot, but he takes a spoonful and blows across it then takes a bite. “Oh, wow.” He rests his elbows on the counter, taking another bite, then looks at me. “This is good.” There’s a soft look in his eyes that’s both annoying and impossible to ignore.
Something twists low in my stomach. Annoyance? Irritation? Or is it something else I really should ignore? His gaze dropsto my lips then drags up. I busy myself cleaning up the mess I made. “I’m glad.”
I’ve been staringat him for what feels like hours, but I don’t want to leave yet. After he ate some soup, I sat with him on the couch and watched a cooking competition with him to completion.
I just got invested and wanted to know who won. That’s all.
Sawyer is snoring now, still congested, but he looks a lot better than when I found him this morning. I need to meet up with Cam in an hour, but I don’t want to leave.
Which is exactly why I need to.
I slip off the couch and find a blanket to cover him up. I watch him a moment, then I ignore the tug in my stomach that’s keeping me rooted here.
I leave the TV on for some noise to keep him company, and take one more look at him before I lock his door from the inside then shut the door behind me.
Only when I’m between his bakery and Cam’s gym do I realize what I did.
Or rather what I didn’t do.
I’ve been alone for hours with him, while he slept on and off, and never really looked for the elephant.
CHAPTER EIGHT
SAWYER
I am so behind.
I also feel like shit because two days after Aiden came to my house, I still wasn’t up to anything. I didn’t have much for him to do, so he just helped my friends bring in some furniture while I was sent off to lie down.
Definitely didn’t want to stay and watch Aiden lift furniture in his black tank top.
Noah found a small couch at a consignment shop for about fifty dollars. It’s cute, almost Victorian looking with roses all over the pale-pink and cream fabric. It’s old but clean, and it goes really well with the new color of the walls.
He found a nice little area rug and bought some decorative pillows in the shape of cupcakes. He also found a small bookshelf and a new coffee table that’s a pretty shade of ivory with gold accents on the legs.
I’m feeling good for the first time all week, and today is game night.
Joy.
I grab my phone and text Noah.
Sawyer:
Hey I’m feeling better. I plan on coming to game night.
