Page 7 of Hooked on Love

I should…what? Make myself scarce? Pretend I’m not here? We’re going to have to face each other eventually.

I’m refilling my coffee when her bedroom door opens. She appears in the hallway, and I go very still.

She’s wearing a white blouse tucked into navy slacks, her dark hair pulled back in a low bun. Professional. Put-together. So different from the terrified woman in a towel, that it takes me a second to reconcile they’re the same person.

She’s also beautiful.

The thought hits me like a rogue wave, unexpected and hard. In the morning light streaming through the windows, she looks… Hell, she looks like trouble I don’t need.

She stops when she sees me, her hand still on the bedroom doorknob.

“Morning,” I say, because one of us has to break the silence.

“Morning.” Her voice is careful, neutral. She moves toward the kitchen, giving me a wide berth. “Is that coffee?”

“Yeah. Made a full pot.” I gesture to the machine. “Help yourself.”

“Thanks.”

She reaches for the mug with the sun on it and pours herself a cup. I watch her add cream and sugar, more of both than I’d expect. She takes a sip and some of the tension leaves her shoulders.

We stand there in awkward silence, both holding our coffee like it’s a shield.

“So,” she says finally. “About last night—”

A sharp knock on the door interrupts her.

We both turn toward the sound. It’s six in the morning. Who the hell—?

“That’s probably Danny,” Peyton says with a sigh.

My brow furrows. “The landlord?”

“Yeah. I had a text from him this morning that he’d be stopping by.”

Another knock, more insistent this time. “Hello? Peyton? Jake? I know you’re both in there.”

Peyton sets down her mug and moves to the door. I follow, curious despite myself.

She opens it to reveal Danny in a burgundy cardigan and khakis, his silver hair neatly combed, a plate of what looks like banana bread in his hands. And for some reason, he’s beaming like it’s Christmas morning.

“Good morning.” He peers past Peyton to me. “Jake. So wonderful to see you again. I heard there was a bit of a commotion last night.”

“You could say that,” I mutter.

“Well, I wanted to come by and make sure everything was sorted out.” He holds up the banana bread. “And bring a peace offering. Fresh baked this morning.”

This morning? Does the guy ever sleep?

Peyton takes the plate automatically. “That’s very kind, Danny, but—”

“I assume you two have come to an arrangement?” Danny’s eyes sparkle with something…suspicious. “About the living situation?”

“Actually,” I say, “I was hoping you might have another apartment available. Just until I can get my boat repaired.”

“Oh, I’m afraid not.” Danny shakes his head sadly.

I frown. “What about 206? It’s been vacant for months.”