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“I promise we’ll be model roommates,” Blake said as he forced his grip to relax on the counter.
"Thanks." She looked around the kitchen. "I don't know where you normally hang out in the evenings, but don't let me get in your way. I can work in my room, so just tell me if I'm hanging out in the living room or something and you want me out so you can watch a movie."
"You're welcome to work or hang out wherever you want. Actually, I have an office you can use if you'd prefer a desk."
She scrunched her nose. "I've never had a dedicated office, so I don't think I'd like that. I'll certainly give it a try though."
Blake pointed up the stairs. "It's the third room on the right. Just past mine."
Maintaining a distance from Everly was going to be tougher than he expected. He'd stayed awake an extra hour wondering how she was doing in the room across the hall. Her room was too close, and he'd contemplated asking Ridge to switch. Would being on the main floor help Blake put Everly out of his head?
Probably not.
He'd spent the daylight hours reminding himself that this wasn't about him. Everly was the one who'd been thrown out of her home. Her world was torn upside down, and she'd been betrayed by someone she trusted. Flirting and dating were probably the last things on her mind.
A few boxes were leaned against the far wall in the kitchen. "How much is left to move?"
"Not a lot. We focused on the boxes today and left the furniture until we had more hands. Some of it was really heavy."
"I'll help Ridge with it tomorrow. We'll take care of it."
She yawned and covered her mouth. "Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without the two of you."
If Blake had anything to say about it, she'd never have to find out.
He looked down at his jeans. "I need to get cleaned up."
Everly slid off the stool and stuffed her laptop into a black bag. "I think I'm ready to call it a night. I'm too tired to look at the screen anymore."
Blake stepped up beside her and took the bag from her. He waited at the bottom of the stairs while she poured out her coffee and tucked her book under an arm.
She walked close to him as they ascended the stairs, and he fought the urge to wrap an arm around her waist and pull her to his side. If he couldn't have Everly on his arm, he'd settle for having her anywhere close. As long as she was near enough to hear her laugh and see her smile, he was happy. The air was easier to breathe when she was around.
They'd stayed quiet on the way up the stairs. When they stopped at her bedroom door, her expression was slack. Was she upset?
"Everything okay?" Blake asked.
"Yeah. Just tired." She brushed hair from her face, smoothing the stray pieces that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear. “Thanks again for everything.”
“You’re welcome. I’m in the running for Superman, and I’m trying to level up this week.”
Everly’s soft chuckle had him leaning in. After spending the whole day with her yesterday and the day before, he’d spent today missing her.
He looked at the door to her bedroom and then back to her. “I guess this is where we say good-bye, princess.”
She took a step toward him, lifting her chin and smiling. “Superman saved Lois Lane. Prince Charming saved the princess. I think you’re getting your tales mixed up.”
Was he imagining it, or was she still moving closer? What were they talking about? Oh, superheroes. “Um, I always wanted to be a Ninja Turtle. Can I be Raphael?”
Her smile widened, and those beautiful blue eyes held him in a trance. “You always know how to make me laugh, even when things are tough.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned against his chest.
It wasn’t a kiss, but that wasn’t what he’d wanted. This–holding Everly in his arms–was perfect. He still held her computer bag in one hand, but the other arm wrapped around her back, pulling her closer. He leaned into her soft hair, and her soft vanilla scent filled his senses, tingling in his nose and filling his chest with all things Everly.
Too soon, she pulled back, scrunching her small nose. “You stink.”
A laugh burst from his chest, freeing the tension from the moment. “I did say I needed a shower.”
She pinched her nose and nodded.
