Page 76 of Third Strike Smitten

Me

Actually, he slept on the couch in his room, which is next to the bed. I accidentally fell asleep on his bed watching television and he didn’t kick me out. I feel kind of bad. He has a game today but he slept on the couch. He’s got to be sore now.

Tara

Wait. So, he slept on the couch? While you were in his bed? That’s...interesting.

Me

Is it? I don’t know. Maybe he was just being a gentleman.

Tara

A gentleman? Killian Haynes? The same guy who told you he “fucks it out” when he’s stressed? That guy?

Me

Yeah, well. Things are...complicated.

Tara

Complicated how? Did something happen between you two?

I stare at my phone, trying to figure out how to explain the tension that’s been building between us. The way he looked at me in the shower. The way his hands felt on my skin. The almost-kiss and then the way he pulled away instead of following through.

Me

We took a shower together. Well, he helped me shower because I couldn’t get my face wet. It was...intimate. But also, not intimate. Nothing happened at all. I mean maybe it did? We sort of almost kissed but then he backed off.

Tara

Oh my GOD. So, he didn’t make a move? Not even a little one?

Me

Nope. He was a perfect gentleman.

Tara

Hmm. Interesting.

Me

Why do you keep saying that? What’s interesting?

Tara

That he didn’t even TRY anything. Most guys would have at least tested the water, especially after seeing you naked.

Me

I wasn’t naked. We kept our underwear on, so it was like I was wearing a bathing suit. Maybe he just respected my boundaries? We did agree to no sex as part of our arrangement.

Tara

LOL that’s not what you told me. I mean yeah, I guess he agreed, but he didn’t want to agree to that. Let’s be real. And after seeing you in his shower? Come on! There’s zero chance he isn’t interested.

Me