She’s pretty and all, but Meg Ryan is more my type.
I think it’s the hair.
“They’re not that bad,” I say.
“Really?”
I nod.
“What’s your favorite?”
“The Notebook.”
“You likeThe Notebook?”
“Rachel McAdams is hot.”
“Okay, then. Let’s watchTheNotebook.”
So that’s what we do. Or at least I watchTheNotebook. Loren seems to be watching me more than the damn screen. “TV’s that way.” I nod toward the scene where Noah takes her out on that boat with all the birds. Animals with wings freak me out. It may look romantic, but can you imagine how much bird shit is in that water?
Loren’s lips press into a flat line as she watches me watching the TV. “You’re strange.”
Okay…?
“I mean that in a good way,” she adds. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy who’s willing to sit through a movie like this without an ulterior motive.”
“Who says I don’t have an ulterior motive?”
Her eyes narrow like she’s trying to see into my mind. “Do you?”
“I’ve been really craving steak lately.” Ever since she gave me a bit of her dinner that night in her apartment, to be exact.
“So you’re offering companionship in exchange for food.”
“I’m a simple man with simple needs.”
Her laugh warms me like a sunny summer day, and she twists back toward the TV. The couple on screen are fighting when Loren’s head falls to my shoulder. When her curls tickle my neck and cheek, I may or may not sniff her hair. I know how weird that is, but women always smell so damn good, and Loren is no exception.
I force my gaze back to the screen, watching in silence as Allie and Noah profess their love to each other. I know I’m supposed to be cheering for Noah, but I always feel bad for Allie’s fiancé. He wasn’t an asshole and didn’t treat her badly. All he did was love her, and yet she ran off with someone else.
I pause the movie, listening to Loren’s soft, even breathing until my own eyes drift closed. I really should get up and go to bed, but this couch and these pillows—and yeah, this woman—are all too damn comfortable.
When was the last time I had a woman over for more than just sex?
That makes me sound like a dick, but I’m not really in the market for a relationship. I work long ass hours, and my life is just fine the way it is.
At least it was.
Now that Loren is here, it’s clear there’s been something missing the last few years.
I’m just not sure I’m ready to acknowledge what that is.
CHAPTER 33
LOREN
6:45 AM
