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When I step inside, the room is filled with a eucalyptus and mint scent that always smells like he just stepped fresh out of the shower. The kind that reminds me of him when I’m in a store a million miles away. His shaving kit and his comb are laid out neatly on the dresser and I run my fingers over the handles.
I shouldn’t be snooping right now, but he also always tells me to make myself at home. I glance back over my shoulder, almost expecting him to open the door and ask me what I’m up for before teasing me about stealing his razors like I used to in college. I slip into the bathroom, curious if it matches the rest of the house or if he’s kept the bachelor-esque vibe this part of the house has always had.
On the side of the tub, I see the Epsom salts, and I reach for them. My muscles are killing me from the cramped flights and travel yesterday and the run this morning. A quick soak would probably do me a lot of favors. Not to mention the chance to just chill out and not think about everything I’ve fucked up in the last forty-eight hours.
I doubt Gabe would mind and I don’t want to bother texting him while he’s at practice. I glance down at my phone and see that it’s still two hours until he’s due home and an hour before Gin’s home from school and extracurriculars.
I shrug. Might as well take advantage. I flip the water on and slip the plug in after it heats up, pouring the Epsom salts in the water when it gets high enough and watch as they melt into the steam. While the tub is filling, I slip out of my clothes, folding them on the little bench by the tub. I drag it to where I can put my phone nearby and put my headphones on. I hum along to the song, slip my fingers through the water to test the temperature, and then step inside. The warmth sinks into my tired muscles and makes them ache a little less almost immediately.
It doesn’t take long until the heat of the bath and the deep bass of the song have me slipping into that perfect half-awake half-asleep daydream space that I wish I could live in more often. I rest my head back against the porcelain and let my fingers drift in the water. It might be the best few moments I’ve had in months.
At least until I open my eyes and see the shower door open and the water running on the other side of the room. My heart lurches in my chest and then slams hard against my ribs when I see a half-naked Gabe stripping out of the sweats he has on. I’m partially obscured in the corner here and apparently, I’ve been quiet enough that he hasn’t noticed me.
Gabe is beautiful and I’m stuck staring. He has that perfect lean muscular kicker’s body that isn’t too bulky in any one place and the kind of ass and thighs that you just want to run your palms over. The kind I’m staring at right now and wishing I could touch. Until I remember they belong to my best friend who somehow hasn’t realized I’m in here.
Shit.
“Gabe!” I shout without thinking about the fact that I’m also incredibly naked. I tear out my earbuds and toss them down on the bench.
He turns, his eyes going wide and his jaw dropping. Right before his gaze lands hard on my breasts. We’ve seen each other in various states of clothing—tank tops, PJs, underwear. But somehow in the twelve years of our friendship, we’ve managed not to see each other naked. A streak that’s apparently ending today.
I swear I see interest—maybe even lust—in his eyes before he snaps out of it and his jaw goes tight along with the rest of his body.
“Holy fuck, Aurora!” He turns around, averting his eyes. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I was listening to music and was half asleep.”
“In my tub?”
“I saw the Epsom salts and the tub, and I just decided a quick bath wouldn’t hurt. I didn’t expect you home.”
“Is that why you were in my bathroom?”
“I was just wandering.”
“Into my bedroom?”
“Is that a problem?” I feel defensive. Gabe has never been this closed-off with me, and ever since I got here, I’ve feltdifferent.He and Gin still feel like home, but he feels off, odd, like there’s something he’s not telling me. Or like he isn’t completely excited that I’m here.
“You could have asked first.”
“You said make myself at home.”
“Yeah. I didn’t say make yourself naked in my bedroom.”
“I’m not in your bedroom.”
“Are we really arguing details like this?” His head turns slightly, frustration marring his face, but he still doesn’t look at me.
“It’s just some skin, Gabe. You see plenty of it in the locker room.” I stand and step out of the tub onto the soft rug.
“Not yours. I shouldn’t be fucking seeing yours. I’m supposed to be your best man this weekend at your wedding. Now what? I tell your husband I’ve seen you naked?”
“There’s no wedding this weekend.” I thought he’d drop it after last night but he still seems determined.
“There should be. You can’t keep doing this, Aurora.”
“Now we’re going to argue about my runaway bride status while we’re naked?” I huff at him.
