“I’ll get the door,” I say.
He steps back, giving me room to grab my purse where I tossed it.
I pick it up and run my fingers through it. There’s my phone, lipstick, kerchief… where’s the key? “A moment.” I back him and search through it more thoroughly.
Oh, no. Can’t find it.
We’re both still breathing heavily, but it’s growing quieter as my search for the key stretches on.
“What’s wrong?” Chance’s voice is hoarse with need.
A shiver rushes through me. I want him. “Can’t find the damn key.”
“Let me help.” He takes the purse and takes everything out. “It’s not here.”
“But I locked the door and put the key in it.” I look around. “Maybe it fell out when I dropped the purse.”
“Plausible.” He notes. “No zipper.”
Just a clasp. Fuck.
“Where did the purse fall?” He crouches.
“There.” I point to a spot and step aside as he starts to search.
I take out my phone and help with a flashlight. It takes a lot of looking before we spot it.
The light winks off the key where it fell between the flowers.
“Got it!” Chance rises with a grin.
I smile back. “Thank you.”
He drops it in my hand and I insert it. I turn the key and the door unlocks.
I glance back at Chance. He’s standing with his hands in his pockets, his eyes solemn. I don’t need to ask, I know he’s not coming in.
Searching for the key brought on a reality check. Everything from the kiss to the nearly letting him in was breaking our agreement.
Still, I’m tempted.
“Would you—”
“Goodn—”
We say at the same time.
“You go first,” I concede.
A smile plays on his lips. “Goodnight, right?”
He’s the smarter one of us two. I was about to invite him in for coffee.
And I’m the one who said no sex.
“Yeah, sure.”
He nods. “See you on Monday, Maddie.”
