I laugh, and hurt flickers across his face. I hate myself for it.
“I’m not worried about that.” Words stick in my throat. Sawyer is good. Safe. Wanted. I’m me.I lean in, because I can’t help myself, and press a kiss to his forehead. “You should be, though.”
“Wait.”
Panic flares under my skin as he reaches for me.
“No.” I pull back. “I need to go. I’ll um... I’ll see you Wednesday.” Space. I need space.
“Aiden—”
I’m out the door before I go against my better judgment and stay.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SAWYER
I’m already regretting this.
I wait a moment after I knock on the door. There’s still time to run.You can walk away.You can go to Hunter’s instead.I don’t know why I didn’t do that. I need to talk and Hunter’s the best.
Yet here I am on the doorstep of a red flag with freckles.
I feel like I’m doing something wrong. I’m not. Noah is just the easiest to talk to about stuff like this. He may be a chaotic ball of sunshine, but in general, Noah makes me feel comfortable, and right now I need to talk to someone about this.
I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.
I can’t stop thinking about the other morning.
I’ve texted Aiden a couple of times but he hasn’t texted back. Is he ignoring me? We’ve been talking on and off all week and now it’s radio silence. He looked scared when he left my apartment.
That kiss. The way he touched me.
It felt unreal.
I almost give up before the door swings open. “Um...” My eyes widen, taking in Noah. “Is this a bad time?”
Noah stands in the doorway wearing nothing but a pair of boxers that are clearly not his own as if he just tugged them on.Jamie’s, I’m assuming, by how they swim on him. And... a doctor’s lab coat.
He has a clipboard in his hand. “Good evening, Bakery Booty. Do you have an appointment?”
“Um. Are you busy?”
“Well, you can tell by my stethoscope that I am very busy, yes.”
“It looks like a pacifier shaped like a penis from a bachelorette party.”
He blinks at me, face flushed and green eyes bright. “Are you questioning my credentials?”
“Questioning every step I took to get here.” I shake my head. “I’m going to regret asking, but what are you doing?”
Noah opens his mouth then closes it. He thinks for a moment. “I think I’ve had some real character growth since we met in college. The old me would have said giving my sexy boyfriend a very thorough prostate exam. However, the new and improved mature me respects my client’s privacy and is going to say, it’s date night.”
“Great job, babe. Your growth is incredible.” I hear Jamie before he opens the front door wider. Jamie’s wearing a pair of sweats, and by the flushed sheen of his tan skin I can see I’ve definitely interrupted something.
“I told you to stay in character! I had it handled,” Noah hisses.
Jamie gives Noah a tight stare. “Put your scalpel away. Date night’s over.”
