I watched him go, biting back a grin.
It wasn’t just that he was attractive. Though, to be clear,he was dangerously attractive.It was more the way he acted like he didn’t know what to do with kindness, as if I were some walking confetti cannon, and he kept bracing for the pop.
I counted to ten.
Gave him enough time to put some space between us.
Then, because itwason my list, and okay, because I couldn’t help myself, I walked down to room four and knocked.
Three short taps. A pause. Then one more.
I just couldn’t let someone walk the halls of Honey Leaf acting like that. We prided ourselves on cheering people up, bringing out the best in them, and this?
I didn’t know whatthiswas, but it was unacceptable in my book.
“Let me guess,” came the voice through the door, dry as a bone. “You forgot your hex potion and came back for round two.”
I grinned.
“I hate to break it to you,” I called through the door, “but it’s time for your room refresh.”
A beat.
Then the door creaked open, and there he was.
His hair was still damp from minutes before, and his expression was mildly amused.
I could sense it.
I cleared my throat and held up the caddy. “Towels, new soaps, and an optional pillow fluffing package. Add-on includes a three-minute TED talk on cranky men.”
He opened the door a little wider and leaned against the frame. “Is this standard service?”
“Only for the guests who grumble like forest cryptids.”
“Good to know,” he said, deadpan.
We stood there for a moment, the air weirdly charged. Every part of my body was keenly aware of him.
I should’ve said something breezy, made a joke, and moved on.
But instead, I blurted, “You smell good.”
WHY, BRAIN. WHY.
His eyebrow went up slowly, and I wanted to rewind time and slap my mouth shut.
“Thanks. Your soap,” he said, voice low. “That… part of the refresh?”
“No,” I muttered, already retreating. “That’s just me forgetting how to be an innkeeper. Don’t mind me. I’m wildly professional.”
He said nothing.
Just watched me.
Which somehow made it worse.
“Anyway,” I added quickly, gesturing to the inside of his room, “I can refresh now or come back later if you need some... flannel time.”
