AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jasper flipped him off. “I already told you. Not that kind of private lesson.”
Fitz tilted his head, his expression mocking. “Pity. You seem tense.”
The doorbell rang, and Jasper left Fitz chuckling in the kitchen. He strode toward the front door, his shoes squeaking against the shiny hardwood floor, and opened the door to Hollyn. Even though he’d known it would be her on the other side, seeing her almost felt like a surprise. For a second, he just looked at her, taking in the casual version of her as if the door had framed her portrait.
Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and she had traded the black jeans and T-shirt she’d worn to work for a pair of white shorts and a sleeveless pink top. Her flesh-toned bra strap was visible, and her lips were shiny with that barely there gloss she always wore.Strawberry-flavored gloss.He ignored the sneaky whisper of desire that went through him at the memory of tasting her, at the sounds she’d made when they kissed. He also forced himself not to let his eyes travel down her bared legs. He cleared his throat. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She smiled tentatively, her cheek twitching, and held out a white box. “I brought petit fours from McKenzie’s.”
“Payment in tiny cakes,” Jasper said, taking the box and wondering if Hollyn had brought a gift to avoid the should-we-hug-or-not-hug question. “I approve. Come on in.”
Hollyn stepped inside, shutting the door behind her, and followed him through the foyer, but she halted when they reached the living room. “Holy shit.”
“I know. It’s ludicrous,” he said, turning to her. “Blame Fitz. I told you we’d have room for lessons here.”
“Blame me for what?” Fitz asked, stepping out from the kitchen, barefoot and holding a fresh slice of pizza.
Hollyn visibly tensed and her nose twitched. Without thinking, Jasper put his arm around her in a side hug, wanting to calm her. “Fitz, this is Hollyn Tate. She’s a writer who works on the second floor. Hollyn, this is Fitz McLane, benevolent ruler of the fourth floor.”
Fitz smiled his we’re-all-friends-here smile and put his hand out to her. “Pleasure to meet you, Hollyn.”
“Same,” she said, her body stiff against Jasper’s side but her voice pleasant and friendly. “Thanks for letting us commandeer the living room for the night. Your place is gorgeous.”
Jasper lowered his arm to his side, knowing he’d already made it weird.
“Thanks. And not a problem. I have a binge watch ofRed Valleyplanned,” Fitz said. “The TV in my room is better.”
“Ooh,” Hollyn said, some pep coming into her voice. “That’s a great show. Have you seen it before?”
“Nope.”
“Oh, wow. I’m jealous you get to see it for the first time. The fifth episode is some of the best television I’ve seen this year. The plot surprised me in the best way, and the acting is killer,” she said, her tics calming for the moment. “Just plan to be up late because they’ll get you with the shameless cliff-hanger endings.”
Jasper’s eyebrows lifted at Hollyn’s enthusiasm.
Fitz rubbed a hand over the back of his close-cropped hair, giving Hollyn a more intent look. “Man, now I’m even more jazzed to watch it.”
“Hollyn reviews movies and TV shows as part of her job,” Jasper said proudly.
“Yeah?” Fitz asked, looking genuinely interested—maybe a littletoointerested. “I’m a TV junkie. You should let me treat you to coffee one day at work, and we can nerd out.”
Hollyn’s fingers tapped against the side of her leg, but she smiled. “Sounds nerdy.”
Jasper noticed she’d dodged the invitation. Despite Fitz’s good intentions, he’d put Hollyn on the spot. “Well, we better get to work,” Jasper said, giving his flirty friend a cease-and-desist look. “Enjoy your binge watch, Fitz.”
Fitz huffed a quiet laugh at Jasper’s not-so-subtle dismissal. “Will do, brother. You kids have fun.”
Fitz headed down the hallway that led to his bedroom, and Hollyn’s shoulders lowered a fraction. Jasper led her to the kitchen and set the pastry box on the island next to the pizzas. He sent her an apologetic look. “Sorry about that. I told him you were shy with new people, but Fitz probably saw that as a challenge. He won’t bug you about having that coffee.”
She lifted a shoulder and leaned back against the counter. “It’s okay. He’s nice. I have to learn how to talk to people at some point.”
“You actually did great,” Jasper said, handing her a paper plate and then opening a pizza box to offer it to her. “You lit up when you started talking about TV.”
She took a slice of veggie lover’s and put it on her plate. “It’s my comfort zone.”
“Yeah, but that bodes well for your videos. You’ll be talking about things you’re into.” He grabbed a slice for himself and took a quick bite before speaking again. “If you can talk about it on camera like you talked to Fitz, you’re halfway there.” He pointed his pizza at her. “Hell, maybe youshouldhave that coffee with him. You can practice your shop talk.”
“Maybe,” she said, unsure.
