She just had to keep reminding herself he wasn’t too cute to hate.
Duncan peeked out the sheer curtains on the front window as a little blue car pulled up alongside Jen’s house. He watched Aurora get out of the driver’s side, pulling what looked like a gym bag with her.
“Hey guys, Roar’s here.”
“Let her in!” Jen called from the kitchen. She was putting the finishing touches on the hors d’oeuvres and chatting with Mike and David. Now all they needed was Britney. Duncan opened the door as Aurora reached the top step.
“Well, hello, there.”
“Hello yourself. How was your flight in?”
“Nice and smooth.” Like her creamy skin. “How’s it going?”
She gave a tired sigh. “It’s going. I’m looking forward to this hot tub.” Her long brown hair was up in a clip. She wore a light gray zip-up hoodie, jeans, flip fops, and not a stitch of makeup. He held the door for her and caught a whiff of her shampoo as she passed by. It smelled like the ocean.
“Can I take your bag for you?”
“Oh, it’s not heavy. It’s just a towel and a change for after the hot tub.”
He slid it out of her hands anyway, ignoring the way her eyes rolled at him. “Hey, Jen? You guys getting changed upstairs? Roar brought a bag.”
Jen stuck her head into the doorway. “Hi, Aurora! I have a powder room down here. But I’m already in my suit.”
“So am I. I just brought a towel and a change for later.”
“Leave it wherever you want. Now come out here and help me eat these.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Aurora motioned to Duncan to give her the hot pink bag back. “I can carry it, Duncan. It’s super light.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Just put it in the hall next to my purse, then.”
Duncan obliged. Before he could even try to take her jacket, Aurora had unzipped her hoodie and hung it on the coat rack. Underneath she was wearing a purple tank top and he could see the outline of the straps of her swimsuit. When she turned around, he thought he glimpsed leopard print. He smiled. That was something Roar always had; at least one top, or at one point, a skirt, that was leopard print. The nickname had fit her style. He gestured for her to enter the kitchen first and then caught himself watching her luscious behind sashay through the door. Wouldn’t he love to have a handful ofthatunderneath … He took a deep breath. This was going to be torture. Delicious, delicious torture.
Aurora gasped. “Jen, you made spinach pies! I love these so much.” She took a plate and stacked a few miniature pastries, carrots, and a scoop of ranch dip, then set it down on the table.
“Hey, Aurora!” David waved at her.
“Oh! Dave! And Mike! Sorry, I got distracted.”
“No hug?” asked Dave.
She put her plate down and laughed. “Sure.”
She walked over and hugged Dave. Mike put his arms out, so she hugged him as well. Duncan cleared his throat.
“Where’s my hug?”
A faint blush dashed across Aurora’s cheeks.
“I even carried your bag,” he pretended to complain.
“You offered,”she reminded him, suppressing a giggle.
The hug was quick, chaste. So why had it gotten so warm in the kitchen?
“Britney is here! Duncan, you forgot to lock my door.”
