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Rinsing off, I shut down the taps and open the door to retrieve the towel from its hook. Wrapping it tightly around my waist, I step out and leave the door open to let out the extra moisture.
I eye the bathrobe but know it’ll never fit me. Pulling the towel loose, I dry off and rewrap it so I’m fully covered. I watch Norman army crawl into the stall to investigate the remaining water droplets, but he quickly realizes he doesn’t like his paws getting wet and runs back out. I close the door so he won’t accidentally get stuck inside and then crack open the window to let out the steam.
Going back into her bedroom, I see the sun has risen, and warm light floods into the room. The smell of coffee wafts up from downstairs, and I make my way to the kitchen.
Norm follows me down the stairs, where we find Lenore leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping a cup of coffee. Norm marches over and rubs against her ankles, I’m sure depositing some of the shower water. “You ready for breakfast, buddy?”
She hasn’t noticed me standing in the doorway yet. “I don’t know about him, but I am.”
She freezes and turns her head toward me. Her eyes slowly scan upward, and her blush rushes back. I’ve never been particularly vain, but I suck in my gut and flex just a little.
I do have some muscles from working, but they're not bulky.
Speaking with her eyes glued to my chest, she squeaks, “Coffee?”
“That’d be great.” I step forward, not sure what I plan to do, but she thrusts her half-drunk mug into my hand.
“Can you feed Norm? I’m going to take a shower now. There’s a pack of chicken in the fridge if you want to throw some in.”
Her words are rushed, but her feet don’t move, and her eyes keep roving over me.
“Why couldn’t you have just been a serial killer like I thought you were?” A beat passes before she realizes what she’s said aloud. “Oh. My. God.”
A slow chuckle starts deep in my chest, and I can’t help the laughter that erupts. Nore’s still frozen in embarrassment, her hand half-raised as if she’s going to touch me and eyes wide.
“Can we forget I just said that?” She stares resolutely at some distant point over my shoulder, completely avoiding eye contact, but soon, even she’s shaking with silent laughter.
“I can’t say I’ve ever been more glad that someone doesn’t see me as a mass murderer,” I say between chuckles. “Makes me think I’ve done something right, at least.”
I sober up as I watch her face settle into a heated look.
“You seem to do pretty much everything right, Matt.”
