“Not everyone wants to settle down with a partner. Happiness is found within,” I say.
“Very wise, Yoda,” Caspian says with a straight face while Callie bursts out laughing.
“I agree, brother,” Callie says between giggles. “But you are one of those people who wants a partner.”
She’s not wrong. I’ve had a few girlfriends. Some that lasted a couple of years. But I haven’t really tried again since Phoebe. It’s like I’ve been gun-shy, too afraid to pull the trigger in case I get too deep, then find out she doesn’t want to build a family like I do. Or I’ve once again rushed into something that wasn’t what it seemed. I’d be perfectly satisfied with a life with just myself and a woman who makes my heart race. I don’t want to hurt another person for not wanting the same things I do. Everyone deserves the kind of happiness that fills their soul.
“I’m not in a rush. The right one will cross my path one day. I’m sure of it.”
Without thinking, my eyes drift to the house next door.
8
I flick on the kettle, then take a slice of pizza from the fridge, inhaling it as I double-check the front and back doors. Once the water’s finished boiling, I pour it into a mug and add a spoonful of coffee and one spoon of Milo, then quietly make my way upstairs. It’s just after twelve, my calves are killing me from my set at the club tonight, and I just want to get into a steaming hot shower and put on my pyjamas.
I poke my head into Aurora’s bedroom, finding her fast asleep. She sent regular updates to the bartenders at The Matchbox while I was working. All night, I was getting thumbs up from the girls checking the club phone. They knew I’d be stressed the first time I left Aurora alone, but when I checked my phone at the end of my shift, she’d sent me a message saying she felt totally safe and spent most of the night talking to her new friend, Ever. And she finished crocheting an axolotl. Whatever that is. She even got invited over for a sleepover next Saturday.
I pull her bedroom door closed, then heave a sigh as I step into my room. Dumping my bag in the closet, I kneel down on the carpet and open the middle drawer. I carefully push all my T-shirts aside so I can lift the false bottom and add tonight’s earnings to the piles I hide away. Putting everything back in place, I kick off my Ugg boots and head into the bathroom. Turning on the hot water, I remove my makeup while I wait for it to reach scalding, then strip down. My muscles instantly loosen under theheat as glitter swirls down the drain. I quickly wash my hair, scrub my whole body of oil and sparkles, then deep clean my face.
Once I’m a new woman, I lather myself in cocoa butter and pull on my favourite holey T-shirt, a pair of booty shorts, and some long socks.
I have two hands protectively gripping the hot mug, my body slipping into relax-mode as I step onto my balcony. The stars are calling my name, and I can’t wait to sit in silence, getting lost in their—
“Hello again.”
I pull up short with the interruption of that deep, gravelly voice. Slowly, my head turns to the left, and I see Westley relaxing shirtless on a daybed. Book in one hand, mug in another, and Patch passed out beside him.
“Isn’t it a little late to be reading?”And aren’t you a little hot to be real?
“Isn’t it a little late to be stargazing?”
I step further onto the balcony, biting my lip to stop the smile. “Actually, it’s the perfect time. The sky is dark, and the rest of the city is sleeping.”
“The same could be said about reading,” he fires back.
My eyes drop from his, down to that broad chest that’s dusted with hair, and I can see the tattoo that sits high on his ribs. I hate that I want to know what it is.
Instead, I feign disinterest and take a seat in front of my telescope, open my stargazing app, then move the eyepiece towards me.
“What are you looking for?”
I feel my shoulders drop.There goes my peace and quiet.“You know, this is usually a quiet activity.”
“My apologies,” he says, the words teasing. “I’ll be quiet so you can see better.”
I blow out a steadying breath, then move back to the eyepiece. We sit in silence, but I’m still highly aware of his presence. Ipause to pick up my mocha, humming over a mouthful of chocolate and caffeine.
“Anything good?”
I close my eyes, inhaling patience. “I thought we established this was quiet time.”And if you talk, I can’t forget that you’re out here. Wondering if you’re looking at me. Hating that I kinda want you to. My own thief in the night.
“Sorry,” he says, and I can hear the smile he’s wearing.
I sigh and place my mug down on the table beside me, giving him my full attention. “It’s just that I worked all night, and my brain needs to power down. This is normally how I do it, but instead, you have to be out here looking like that and talking.”
Westley puts his book down and slides off the daybed. When he stands at full height, the effect of his presence has me heating in places I shouldn’t. He moves across the balcony, mug still clutched in his hands as he leans his forearms over the railing, and I can perfectly imagine what it would be like to be wrapped up in those arms, maybe pressed into a mattress with the weight of his body on top of mine.
“I thought the salon closed at five?”
