Page 52 of Only You

Ryan glanced back at them. “Everything okay?”

“Yep,” Jack said.

Kayla nodded.

Soon, the men and women parted ways, and Kayla felt relieved.

“You should come out with us tonight,” Josie urged.

Instead of replying, Kayla pointed up ahead. “Let’s go into Bath and Body Works.”

“Okay. I’ll buy a new scent to wear tonight,” Josie enthused.

Kayla thought of all her perfume bottles lined up on Jack’s dresser. She didn’t need a new scent, unless there was one that suited her current mood—frustrated and confused.

It was late afternoon when Kayla dropped Josie off at their apartment. “Text me later and let me know if you’re coming to the bar,” Josie said, as she wrestled her packages out of the backseat.

“I will. Thanks for going shopping with me.”

“Anytime.” Josie practically skipped up the walkway to their apartment. She turned and waved, then disappeared inside.

Kayla considered following her, since it was still her apartment, too. Oddly, it no longer felt like it, though. She hadn’t been gone that long, but Jack’s condo was already starting to feel like home. Soon, she pulled into the garage beside Jack’s car. Kayla gathered her packages from the backseat and went up to the door. Trying the doorknob, it was locked, so she used the key Jack had given her. Once inside, she didn’t see any sign of him and assumed he was still with Ryan. Kayla set down her bags and was about to enter the kitchen when she heard a noise. Suddenly, Jack strode into the living room wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

“You’re home,” he said, sounding pleasantly surprised.

“You’re not dressed,” she volleyed, trying not to stare.

“I just got out of the shower. I heard sounds and came out to investigate.”

“Didn’t you assume it was me?”

He shrugged. “I’m still not used to living with someone.”

“Obviously,” she muttered. Kayla averted her gaze from his damp chest, long legs, and tousled hair. “I’m going to get a glass of water, so you can go get dressed.” Kayla turned away and retreated into the safety of the kitchen, or so she’d thought. While she was filling a glass with water, Jack walked in and stood behind her. Kayla took her time before she slowly turned and faced him.

“We need to talk,” he said.

“Not while you’re naked,” she argued.

“I have a towel on.”

“It doesn’t count as clothes.”

He smirked at her.

“I mean it, Jack. I can’t have a serious conversation with you like that.”

“Why not?” He planted his hands on his hips, drawing her attention to where the towel dipped at his waist.

She glared at him. “Because!”

“Because isn’t an answer.”

“You sound like my dad when I was growing up.”

He chuckled, and his pecs danced before her eyes. She tipped up her glass and gulped down the water like it was liquor instead. Maybe if she ignored him, he’d go away, which might be worse, because then she’d have a view of his firm, round …

“I can keep apologizing about last night, but it won’t change anything,” he said.