“Here, remember, we talked about this,” I scolded, half serious.
Jack took off his boots next, leaving them in the space by the door. “Right.” He walked past me to the kitchen and started making coffee for himself and hot cocoa for me. “So, where were you last night?” he asked, almost sounding too casual.
I looked over at him and was met with that large, broad-shouldered back. Had he been looking for me? My phone had died during the second Hallmark movie as Hazel and I spent the rest of last night finishing off our pizza and bingeing wholesome sweetness. By the time Felicia and Emerson left, we’d crawled into Hazel’s bed, where I was reminded of another reason why we didn’t spend the night together: her cold feet and the fact that she constantly kicked me. I was certain I was wearing the bags under my eyes like badges of survival to go with the bruises on my shins.
That was when I noticed Jack also appeared sleep deprived. Well, more sleep deprived than usual. Had he been worried?
“I had plans with Hazel,” I lied.
Jack nodded as if this made perfect sense, even though we both knew I’d been avoiding him. “It doesn’t have to beweird, you know. I mean, what happened. We live together. Goddammit, I should have thought this through. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. If you need me to leave, I’ll sleep on a couch. I’ll?—”
I pressed my finger over his lips, stopping his unnecessary apology, and grinned. “You already showed me how very,verysorry you were.”
Jack’s eyebrows drew together. “I mean it.”
“I know.” My tone softened. “But you don’t need to worry. I’m not uncomfortable around you. I mean, you gave me a lot to think about yesterday.” My cheeks gathered all the warmth in my body as Jack’s eyes lit up.
“So you’re obsessed now? And that’s why you didn’t come home?”
“You wish. If anyone’s obsessed, it’s you.”
“It’s not a competition.”
We both let out a ridiculous laugh, and I went on. “But you’re right. Things don’t have to be awkward between us. I should have texted.”
Jack’s eyes brightened. He must have been relieved. “Good.”
“So you missed me, huh?” I teased.
Jack ran a hand through his hair and met my eyes. He paused as if he were thinking through his next words. “Yeah, I missed you. This place was so quiet.”
Well, that was unexpected. I grinned, delighted. “You missed my soundtracks and random playlist, didn’t you? Admit it. You love it when Broadway showtunes follow K-pop.”
He mockingly winced at my words. “No, but I thought maybe you ditched this place for greener pastures.”
When there was no antagonizing, I felt inclined to consider the comment for what it was. “I like being here.”
Jack let out a long breath, as if he were relieved. My body relaxed at the realization of how true those words were. I likedbeing here. I liked being in Jack’s apartment, in his bedroom, dealing with his e-reader and his failed tiptoeing around to make sure I slept. Setting up hot cocoa for me when he knew I didn’t like coffee.
Did I like Jack? Like really like him? The man’s touch got me going every which way. Yesterday, he’d wound me up and driven me higher and higher until I was as close to a lovesick puppy as I’d ever been. He had me feeling loyal and optimistic. Did I want more?
Everything felt different as Jack handed over a mug of freshly made cocoa. A long moment passed between us while I blew on the liquid before Jack cleared his throat.
“Look, I know that it can’t happen again. I know you don’t like me like that, and you know I don’t date. I think we just got caught up in the moment.”
My breath hitched in my throat at those words.I might like you, I wanted to tell him, but he turned his back on me, writing the conversation off as done. He cleaned his mug and stacked it onto the dish strainer.
“Yeah,” I said numbly as he moved around me and stopped to put his Crocs on, which squeaked as each foot hit the floor. My eyes widened at the sound.
“Shut your cute mouth, Nat. These Crocs are necessary on the boat.”
“You don’t need to justify your nerdy side to me, Jack.”
He shook his head. “You do need to justify your snark, Natalie.”
I folded my arms across my chest and gave him a cutting glare. “I’ll do no such thing. You love it anyway. Admit it.”
“You’re making me late,” he huffed, turning from me.
