face breaks into an ear-to-ear smile. “You’re afraid of seeing me naked, aren’t you?”
She flushes. “If I see you naked, I’ll call a cab and come home and bill you the fee. Because I’m not going to make myself miserable. Got me?”
“Yes, madam.”
She extends a hand and I shake it before tugging on it gently and pulling her into my chest. She lets herself fall into my arms.
Her breath hiccups as she looks up at me with wide eyes. My body freezes, relishing the contact of her skin against mine.
God, I want her.
“Jesus has no room,” she says, although she doesn’t make an attempt to step back.
“Yeah. I’m aware.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Seeing something,” I say with a smile.
“Seeing what?”
Seeing how much I can torture myself, it seems.
I stare into her eyes. The hunger for her that gnaws at me is reflected in her eyes. It would take a half of a second to kiss her like she deserves to be kissed.
I could do that. I want to do that more than I’ve ever wanted to kiss anyone. But hidden just behind that need is a vulnerability I can’t ignore and one I’d hurt, and I can’t do that. I won’t. Even if it kills me.
I kiss her cheek. Stepping back, I head to the door.
“Seeing what?” she calls after me, a hint of franticness in her voice.
“Seeing that. Be ready at noon tomorrow. If you have a fancy dress, take it. If not, we’ll get you one in Nashville.”
I stop at the door and pull it open. I look at her over my shoulder. “Thanks, Haley.”
“You’re a giant pain in the butt, you know that?”
Her narrowed eyes give up to a sparkling grin that makes everything all right again.
“It’s been said,” I say. “It’s also been said I have a giant—”
“Stop.” She covers her face. “Just go so I can figure out what just happened here.”
You and me both, Miss Haley Raynor.
With a laugh, I step onto the porch and shut the door behind me.
I pause on the sidewalk and look up at the sky. What the hell did I just do? And why the fuck does it feel so right?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
HALEY
Can we call this one a date?” Claire lies on my bed, tossing a piece of popcorn in the air and trying to catch it in her mouth. It bounces off her cheek and falls to my comforter. “It includes family. I think that makes a difference.”
“I think if I get in my bed next time and there’s popcorn in it, there will be a difference.”
“You mean, you’ll be salty?” She laughs at her own joke. “That was good. My comedic timing is getting better and better.”
Shaking my head at her, I fold the green scoop neck shirt and add it to my suitcase. “I think that’s a stretch.”
She grins and throws another piece up and misses on purpose. “Oops.”
“Sometimes I wonder why I like you.”
“No, you don’t.” She groans as she sits up. “I’m loyal and smart, and I’ll be able to clean your teeth for free unless I fail this last class. Don’t forget how expensive dental hygiene is. I’ll be a big asset to you soon.”
I roll my eyes. “How did you do on the paper you were working on last week?”
“Good. I think. Oh. Big news.” She gives me her cheesiest grin. “I have an informal interview with a dentist office in Rockery. I shadowed a dentist there a few months ago, and they called and said they’d like to talk to me. Cool, huh?”
“Look at you. Taking over the world one tooth at a time.”
She presses her lips together. “Bad joke, Hay. Bad joke.”
“Yeah. Whatever.” I head to my closet and sort through the rack. My suitcase is stuffed as it is, but I feel underprepared.
“You know, they have stores in Nashville if you forget something.” She shoves some popcorn in her mouth. “You don’t have to take everything you own.”
I bury my head in my hands, the excitement, anxiety, and giddiness overwhelming me.
“It’s gonna be fine,” she says. “It’ll actually be better than fine.”
“How do you know?” The words come out muffled through my fingers. I lift my head to look at my friend. “What if it goes terribly?”
“How could it be terrible? You like the guy. He likes you. You’re going to some schmancy party that will include free booze. If things do go bad, just drink until you forget about it.”