By the time I’m finished, she’s laughing her ass off.
“It’s not that funny,” I grumble, watching her perfectly dark-lined eyes crinkle as she titters with glee.
“Oh, but it is though!” Carrie wipes at her eyes, careful not to smudge her makeup. “Only you would go home to film a movie, then somehow end up fake dating your childhood sweetheart who—from what you’ve told me—pretty much hates your guts. And now you’ve got her saying with you in your house? This is too fucking good.”
“She doesn’t hate me,” I object, though I’m still not entirely convinced that’s true. “At least, not anymore.”
Her expression softens. “You’re in love with her.”
My gaze darts over to the stairs. “Jeez, Care! Can you keep it down?”
Hand flying to her chest, she mock gasps. “Omg! Youare!”
“That’s it. Time to go.”
I jump to my feet and grab her upper arm, gently dragging her up from the couch despite her protests.
“But… wait! I just got here!” she laughs as I guide her firmly toward the front door. “I haven’t even shown you my spread from Vogue!”
“Later,” I mutter, hand on her back now as I steer her across the living room toward the front door.
Playfully digging in her heels, she giggles. “Come on, Rowan! Don’t be such a grumpy-pants. I want to get to know your girlfriend! Oops!” She wiggles her eyebrows at me again. “I mean,fakegirlfriend.”
“Care, I swear to God?—”
“Fine, fine!” She throws her hands up, eyes dancing with mischief.
When we reach the door, she spins to face me, this time gently poking a finger into my chest. “I?—”
“Nope.” The word comes out as a growl as I open the front door and give her a gentle shove.
“You’ve got it bad,” she singsongs. “And just so you know, I like her already.”
“Bye, Care,” I grunt firmly, one hand on the door.
She blows me a kiss. “See you tonight, lover boy!”
“Whatever,” I mutter, slamming it in her face.
Resting my forehead against the door, I take a deep breath. Damn, that woman is exhausting, but I love her like a sister. Still, her timing couldn’t have been worse. Just when things with Lizzy were heating up...
Speaking of which, I need to go check on her. I’m halfway up the stairs when I hear the shower running in the guest bathroom. My mind instantly fills with images of water flowing over her naked body, and I have to grip the banister to steady myself as a sharp wave of lust hits me right where it hurts.
No. Knowing Lizzy probably needs some space to come toterms with being blindsided, I stalk into my room, trying desperately to get my dick under control.
Showeredand dressed in fresh clothes, I come out of my room just as Lizzy is heading downstairs. Dressed in denim shorts and a loose, cut-off Daughtry T-shirt, her damp hair is pulled up into a messy bun.
“Izzy.” Her name comes out as a plea as I jog to catch up with her. “Sorry about Carrie barging in like that.”
I follow her into the kitchen, waiting with bated breath as she grabs a bottled water from the fridge and twists off the cap.
Finally, she turns to look at me, taking a long drink before she says, “I like her.”
My body literally sags in relief.
“Really?” There’s no hiding my surprise. After the way Carrie burst in like a tornado sent from Oz, dropping the bomb about how Lizzy is the one who got away and that I’ve talked about her, I was expecting the worst.
“Yeah, she’s...” Her lips quirk up as she searches for the right word, “...enthusiastic?”
