Page 35

"You can't run around here. What if I accidentally step on you?" I coo in a whisper and continue my way to the kitchen. "Or your poop. That would be disgusting, little demon slayer."

With one hand, I grab a food container out of the fridge and set it on my kitchen counter, still talking softly to the rabbit.

I didn't have much of an opinion about little creatures before I ran into this particular one. “But you're adorable. And so chill."

"Cute." I jump, almost dropping the damn bunny, even though Brooke’s voice has finally lost the usual hardness when she talks to me.

"Holy shit, Brooke. Make some sound when you walk, for fuck's sake." I drop a kiss on the bunny’s head and slowly turn around.

"Sorry." She shrugs and shoots me a sheepish grin. “I could say the same, though.”

A part of me is still surprised she took me up on my offer to stay in the guest room. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised she doesn't want to leave her animals alone with a stranger overnight, no matter how much Evan might vouch for me.

"I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay." I let out a deep sigh and carry the rabbit over to its enclosure, making sure to secure it and close the little gap that I suspect she escaped through.

"Do you want some dinner, too?" I ask her. But I don't think she hears me. Maybe she does, but the words clearly don’t reach her brain.

Right. I was about to go to bed, so I'm not wearing a T-shirt. Which means all of her brother's impressive tattoo work on my upper body is on display, his art on my legs hidden by my grey cotton jogging pants.

"Brooke?" I ask again, and wave a hand in front of her face for good measure, biting my lip to keep from grinning.

"Sorry, what?" She shakes her head, the same way she did when she ogled me at Evan’s studio.

The corner of my mouth twitches.

I am more than used to people expressing how hot they find my body on the internet. But for one, those are strangers. Two, those strangers don't see my face because I always hide it behind a mask to make it even easier for them to objectify me and comment. And three, it's one world of a difference if somebody types a comment saying “10/10 would smash,” versus staring at me the way Brooke is.

She might not be too fond of me, but she definitely finds me hot.

I’ll take it as a win.

"Huh?” She shakes her head, and it turns into a full body shake, similar Dick shaking off water after chasing a leaf into the lake. “Sorry, I was… distracted."

How cute. She’s blushing.

"I asked if you wanted some dinner, too." I nod toward the leftovers Caleb brought. Aren’t I nice? Sharing the best meal of the year with a woman who can’t stand me? If anything, tonight will absolutely fill my karma bank.

"Sure."

I unpack the food, and she opens my cupboards to find plates and cutlery. A calmness settles between us. I'd call it a truce if a part of me weren't still the tiniest bit butthurt.

Two minutes later, the first plate is ready. I throw it into the microwave. When I turn around, I catch her having her nose exactly where it shouldn't be.

"Hey, what's in this one?" She peeks into the second bag on the counter, the one Caleb announced the cinnamon rolls were in.

"None of your business." I snatch it out of her hands and stuff it into my fridge for good measure.

She stares at me, eyebrow slowly rising. Then, slowly, the corners of her mouth lift. A devious smile, announcing she will not let this go, forms on her lips.

"What is in it, Kieran?" She walks closer slowly, a predator approaching its prey.

"Oh, you know. Just the best fall-inspired cinnamon-and-everything-nice rolls this world has ever seen." I plant myself in front of my fridge protectively, cross my arms in front of my chest, and lift my chin. "Which my friend made for me. And only for me."

"You said I'm supposed to make myself at home here." She tries to push past me, but I'm tall, pretty fucking wide and determined. She doesn’t stand a chance.

"You know, at home I would get myself a... what did you call it? Fall-and-everything-nice roll."