Mybathroomdoorisshut, the sound of running water traveling through it.Wait a sec. It takes my brain an extra minute to catch up with the events of the night before. How could I forget the beautiful celebrity sleeping in the room next to mine last night? Maybe it was because I couldn’t stop thinking of her, which made it impossible to fall asleep. Now my thoughts are fuzzy and sluggish from lack of sleep.
I hesitate, taking a step back, so she doesn’t think I was lurking outside waiting to pounce on her. The door swings open and I take another step back, but my feet get tangled up and I stumble. I reach out to grab something, anything, to catch myself, and it lands on the tiny table beside the bathroom door. My socked feet continue to skitter on the polished wooden floor, but gravity is thewinner in the end. I hit the hard floor with a thump, taking the table, and the lamp sitting on it, with me.
Fuck. Pain shoots through my hip, and I’m afraid to look up at her. But I can’t ignore the soft tap on my shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
“No.”
“Should I call someone? No wait, I think my phone’s dead. Shit.”
I squint my eyes open to see a slightly blurry version of her face. “I don’t think there’s anyone who can help me recover my dignity here.”
Soft laughter sounds out. “Probably not. That was pretty spectacular. Can I at least help you up?”
I finally open my eyes all the way to see her offering me a hand, palm up. As much I’d love to hold it, now is probably not the time. “I think I can handle it.”
As I’m pushing myself to my feet, a wet nose bumps my neck and then Blink’s long tongue swipes all the way up the side of my face. Apparently me crashing to the floor wasn’t much of a cause for concern, but now that I’m on the floor, I’m a prime target for kisses.
Aura falls to her knees beside us with a soft thud, and the traitor mutt redirects her affection, wagging her scruffy butt in my face.
She lets Blink pant doggy breath in her face while she pats her shaggy coat. “Aren’t you the cutest.” The dog flops over, exposing her belly for scratches. I knew I liked Aura when she started softening toward Flash, but anyone who gives my dog the attention she deservesis guaranteed to turn me into a puddle. “How are you, baby?” she asks the animal in a singsong.
“She might claim she’s good but don’t let that cute face fool you, she’s trouble. Do you have any pets?”
Her mouth turns down slightly. “No.”
“Really? Not even one of those tiny dogs you can carry around in your purse like a fashion accessory? Or a pig? Don’t a lot of celebrities have pigs as pets?”
She looks up, rolling her eyes at me. “Pigs? I don’t think so. Maybe some, but definitely not me. It wouldn’t really be fair. I travel a lot for different productions. And even when I was onPaisley Creek, I worked such long hours I wouldn’t have had time to spend with a pet.”
I bend down to pick up the table, inspecting the miraculously unbroken lamp and placing it back in its spot.
“Well, you can borrow Blink while you’re here.”
Aura gives the dog one last pat, then stands up, brushing her hands down the front of her shirt. A cloud of hair floats away. It’s a futile effort. As long as she’s staying here, she’s going to be covered in dog hair.
I shift on my feet, trying to work up the courage to ask the question that’s been on my mind since last night. “So, I know you were only planning to stay the one night, but is there any chance that comfortable bed changed your mind? After what we walked in on at the hotel, I’d really feel better if you stayed here.”
She runs a hand through her hair, combing out the tangles. “I think…maybe…”
“I tell you what. How about I make you one of my world-famous breakfast sandwiches? Then I’ll drive youback over there, and you can decide. No pressure. Your decision.”
“World-famous? Big promises there, Cowboy.”
“Trust me. I always back up my promises, Hollywood.”
“Really. You know I’ve eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world, right?”
“I’m sure you have.”
She plucks at the comically baggy T-shirt she borrowed from me, looking down at herself. The gray sweatpants are cinched tight at the waist to keep them from falling down and cuffed at the bottom. Her feet are bare, and her face is scrubbed clean of makeup. She looks incredible as always, but the way she looks wearing my clothes tugs at something in my chest. And a little lower if I’m being honest with myself.
My fridge is full today, so we don’t even need to leave the privacy of my small place. Eggs, bacon, green onions, a bottle of smoky garlic hot sauce, and mayo. I study the ingredients in the light of the fridge.
“You like tomato?” I call out, glancing over my shoulder to see her wandering around my small front room. Oh, no. Her long black hair falls in a shiny waterfall as she tilts her head to study my game shelf. Jigsaw puzzles I haven’t had the time to work on, some board games, and of course, all my D&D stuff.
“Yup,” she says, trailing a hand over the shelf of campaign booklets. That’s not going to up my cool factor with her one bit.
