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My pulse quickened when I spotted him standing at the sink, sleeves rolled up as he washed dishes. His muscular forearms flexed, and I was struck by the domesticity of Mr. Uptight doing such a mundane chore. Even when scrubbing plates, his laser focus and air of intensity was palpable.
I ducked shyly when he glanced up, as if catching me gawking was worse than seeing me naked. My phone rang and startled me. I grabbed it from the counter and grinned when I saw my mother's face pop up.
"Hi, Mom."
"Hey, honey, how's the new place?"
I wandered over to the couch and settled onto the cushion, propping my feet up. "It's great. It's not my style but the girl that lives here is a gem. You'd hate it though, all neutral colors."
She gasped as if she couldn't fathom how people could live without color. That was my mom for you. "What does she do again?"
"She and her husband are traveling nurses. They make a killing. They’re in Washington for a couple months and will make more than I take home in a year."
"You'd make more money if you just stayed here." She said it without malice, but a pang of guilt hit me anyway. My parents wanted me to move back to Arizona. They worried about me being out here all on my own, but it's been six years and I survived this long.
"I know, mom. But I like the change of seasons. Vermont is like a different country. You'd understand if you visited."
She scoffed and I smiled.
"I can't handle the cold. I need the sun.”
"It's not that bad. it's the mountains not the Arctic Circle. Maybe you'll come for a visit this summer."
"We'll see," Mom said. "So, no new men to speak of in your life at the moment?"
I rolled my eyes dramatically, even though she couldn't see me. This was my mom's favorite topic of conversation.
"Well, there was someone. He is technically a man, but I believe my solo naked dance party scared him away."
She cackled loudly. "Oh honey, at least you keep it spicy! You need to keep yourself out there. You're far too beautiful and sensual not to share before you settle down." I cringed and laughed. You would think after a life of her hippy ways I would be used to it, but she never failed to both unsettle and amuse me at the same time.
"You know I tried that whole settle down thing back in Arizona. and that fantastically crashed and burned—literally."
I thought of Brent, who preferred to go by Bren. I should have known from that fact alone that things would end badly but I didn't think he would shack up with all of my friends. The image of my groom-to-be and my former best friend Casey going at it the morning of our wedding played in my mind. Ugh. I didn't need that again.
"That was quite a spectacle. I'm not sure it warranted burning the place down but..."
We both dissolved into giggles, recounting how I changed my entry song into the ceremony last minute to “Before He Cheats.” I had exchanged my bouquet for champagne and as I sang along and twirled around down the aisle, I knocked over one of the damn torches he had insisted we have. I fumbled and caught it mostly, but not before it set Brent's great-aunt Matilda's wig on fire. I panicked and poured champagne on it and when that didn’t work, I flung the god-awful thing across the tent, which may have set it on fire. Not my proudest moment.
"Well, you're much too young and fun to be stuck with some man who can't keep it in his pants. Have some fun and find someone who will appreciate only you."
"I'm sure you're right, Mom."
"I know I am. I'm always right, darling. Listen, I have to go but let's chat tomorrow."
"Sure thing."
I hung up the phone and looked back over to Jake's house. His kitchen was dark. I didn't know him that well, but I was surprised to see the lights on and then suddenly off. That guy didn't ever let loose.
I went back to my room and pulled on my PJs. I was exhausted and was glad that I had an easy day tomorrow.
As I drifted off to sleep, I wondered if Jake had truly enjoyed what he saw.
2
JAKE
I sank into bed with a guttural groan. Things had escalated quickly from alarming to awkward tonight, leaving me unsettled. I clicked off the light and closed my eyes, the image of Molly's bare curves flashing unbidden in my mind. I sat up and turned the light back on as my phone rang.
