I huff out a breath of exasperation. “You know what I meant.”
“My roof caved in from the snow, okay princess? I’ll stay out of your way if you stay out of the bathroom when I’m naked. Deal?”
My mouth falls open like a guppy. He did not just say that. I go to reply, but then I hear the distinct sound of footsteps going down the hall and the door across the way opening and closing firmly.
This conversation is over, apparently.
This is bad. Like so, so, so bad. I’m not ashamed of my sexual nature, I enjoy a good orgasm as much as the next woman. But this? This next-level fantasizing about a man I absolutely cannot touch? A man I have to not only work with but now also live with for the foreseeable future? This is not good.
I take my time getting ready, and try to ignore how good the bathroom smells with the aroma of Finn’s body wash lingering in the air. When I get outside, my car is cleared of snow.
That’s surprisingly nice for a guy who barks at me more than anything.
As Finn said, the roads are plowed, making my short drive to The Nutty Muffin easy, if slow. Right on cue, my stomach growls, and finally, thoughts of Finn are replaced with thoughts of pastries and coffee.
“Hey! Designer girl is back!”
Mila’s cheerful greeting rises above the chatter of the busy café. I give her a wave and make my way to the back of the short line, taking the chance to peruse the chalk board outlining what’s available today. I don’t realize anyone is beside me until I hear her voice again, only this time, it’s a lot closer.
“Care to tell me why my buddy Finn was in here not so long ago and seemed a little distracted? When I asked him about it, he just grumbled something about Ashley and a shower. I’ve never seen the guy with such a grouchy expression on his face.”
“Wait, he said what?” At the sound of Serena’s voice, I trip over my own feet. “Oh sorry, girl. Didn’t mean to surprise you. Oh, it’s you! Ferry girl!”
My head darts back and forth between the two women as I try to process what’s going on. Okay, logically it makes sense. They’re friends. Of course, if I’m going to run into Serena, it would be here. But it just seems like so long ago that she and I met on the ferry.
“Hi. I, ah, don’t really know what to say,” I start lamely. The line moves forward, but instead of going back to work, Mila loops her arm with mine and leans in close.
“Truthfully, I think it’s awesome. Finn McNeil needed someone to knock him off kilter and you’ve done just that. Bravo.”
“Yup. And I can’t even be mad that you’ve only been here a short while and you’ve already taken one of our very few eligible men off the market, because one — eww, it’s Finn, and he’s like a brother. And two, you’re cool, so yay!”
My head is officially spinning, but one thing is certain. I need to clear up a misunderstanding before word gets back to the man in question. “We aren’t together. Except for working together, I guess,” I say quickly.
Mila lets out a small sound of disappointment. “Then what’s the deal with the shower?”
Before I can answer, Serena’s pointing at my cheeks. “Ooh, she’s blushing! Something happened, that’s for sure.”
“I saw him naked.” The words come out louder than I expected. Oh God, did it suddenly get quiet in here?
A beat later, the sounds of the café return, and I blow the air out of my mouth.
“Now that sounds like a story.”
“A story that needs alcohol to accompany it.” Serena takes my other arm. “Assuming you drink, that is. Not that it matters, we don’t care.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“That she should come to Hastings with everyone? Heck yes, she should. Ashley, you’re coming. Perfect chance to meet everybody. Text me where you’re staying and I’ll pick you up.”
It’s like watching a game of table tennis the way my head is going back and forth while the two women talk, and apparently make plans for me.
“Oh wait, I need your number.”
Serena’s got her phone open and is staring at me expectantly, so I rattle it off automatically. A few seconds later my phone vibrates.
“Perfect. That’s me. Yay! I’m so excited!” Serena blows an air kiss in our direction, then spins around in a pirouette. “Alright, time to go teach my little angels how to be butterflies. Bye, ladies!”
“She’s always like that,” Mila says affectionately, watching her friend leave.
