“It’s getting late. Would it be okay if I walk you home to make sure you get there safely?”
I’m about to tell him this is Bluebell Falls and I’m the scary writer of the town, so no one will mess with me, but then I remember the conversation with Arlo. He’s ex-law enforcement, so it’s in his nature to be overly protective. Will it be extremely distracting and turn my thoughts to him instead of the book I should be writing? Yes. But a little eye candy never hurt anyone, right?
I could use this as research for my main male character. They have similar features, after all. And now that I think about it, that was probably subconscious. Having Oakley on the brain is clearly having an effect on this story, but why not run with it? It’s not like he reads them, and even if he does, he won’t put two and two together, will he?
“Willow?”
My head jerks up at hearing my name, and I see Oakley with his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
“I’m sorry, what?” That’s the downside of being a writer who doesn’t get out much—I’m always in my head and rarely realize it.
“Can I walk you home?”
That’s right. What a turn my thoughts took on that one.
“Yeah, that’d be perfect. Thanks.” I see my bag in his hand and take a peek at my hands, remembering he took it while I was distracted by my overly hungry libido.
God, my focus is all over the place. Being so far behind on this book has turned me into an airhead. But the smile that spreads over his face is well worth all the overthinking.
He leads me to the front door, shutting and locking it behind me before walking in the direction of my small home. I’venever really seen him outside of Grind Time, but I’m not shocked to find he knows where I live. Knowing his real background now, it makes sense that he knows more about this town than he lets on.
The late spring air is already warming up for a hot Texas summer, but at least for now, it’s not unbearable.
“Thank you for letting me stay and work, even when you were closed up,” I tell him when we’re almost to my house.
“No problem. It’s not like I have anything going on. If it meant you got done what you needed to, then I made the right decision.”
I think I can physically feel my ovaries melting. Such a simple statement, and maybe it says more about my lack of experience with men than anything, but his words have an impact on me.
I stop in front of my house on the sidewalk and hold my hand out. “Well, thank you again, and for walking me home.”
His eyes flicker back and forth between mine, like he wants to say something more but decides against it. Removing the backpack off his shoulder, he gently hands it to me and then waits.
“Umm, I’m good from here.” I’m confused by what I’m supposed to do right now.
“Just want to make sure you get inside okay. Then I’ll head back,” he says as he shoves his hands in his pockets.
“Oh, sure! That makes sense.” I slap my hand on my forehead and can feel my cheeks heat in embarrassment. I’m so fucking bad at interacting with men that aren’t my brothers. Lennox and Ledger definitely don’t count.
Skittering to my front door, it takes me three times to get the key in my lock before my door finally opens. I throw a wave over my shoulder before slamming the door and leaning back on it.
Holy trainwreck, Will.Yes, Oakley is hot as hell. Yes, he may have sparked some inspiration for my new book, but he was just being a gentleman. None of this means he’s into me, so I need to chill the hell out.
Besides, with this deadline looming large, I don’t have time to worry about what Oakley thinks of me.
I head back to my desk and get myself set up to work until I can’t keep my eyes open.
I wake up with a start, the drool pooling on my desk making my cheek stick to the surface.
Gross.
I look around to get my bearings and realize I fell asleep after a late night of trying to plot. The buzzing of my phone starts up again, and I realize that’s what woke me up.
Rina Calling
“Hey, what’s up?” I clear my throat after I realize how groggy I sound.
“Are you just now waking up? It’s noon,” she says.
