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He stares at me then nods. “Okay, well… I’ll leave you to it. You should find a spare toothbrush in one of the drawers in the en suite bathroom, along with some toothpaste. Feel free to have a shower if you like too.”
I get an image of him in the shower down the hall from me. He’s probably got one with exposed glass all around and five different showerheads. How I wouldn’t mind showering with him.
No, bad Shayna.
I have to remember he’s a liar and brought me nothing but misery eight years ago. I cannot depend on him to do the right thing.
Although letting me stay here tonight was a really nice thing for him to do. Ever since I came to San Francisco, I’ve given him the cold shoulder and not allowed him to properly apologize for his actions all those years ago. And here he’s helped me all night after I lost my purse, eventually bringing me home to his condo and something to wear.
I look up from the pile of clothes. “Thank you, Lee. Thanks for everything tonight.”
His tongue slides out and licks his lips. There’s so much awkward tension in the room, I’m at a loss for what to do.
“Don’t mention it,” he murmurs and walks toward the door, closing it behind him.
A large rush of air leaves my lungs once I’m by myself.
I’m slipping. As I go into the bathroom, I realize I’ve been keeping him at arm’s length because deep down, Lee might just be the guy I fell in love with in college. He might be that good guy who did a very stupid thing. But how do I ever trust him with my heart again?
I awaken with a start and glance around the dark room. It takes me a moment to remember I’m at Lee’s.
Sitting in bed, I moisten my lips. Wine always dehydrates me.
My throat is so dry it hurts, and I’ll never be able to fall back asleep unless I drink some water. I climb out of bed and tiptoe to the door, arms outstretched in the dark so I don’t bump into anything.
I fumble for the door handle, and I’m relieved to find the hallway is lit with low lighting so I can see where I’m going. I walk down the hallway toward the kitchen and quietly open cabinets, searching for a glass.
After finding one, I step over to the sink and turn on the faucet, waiting until it’s cool to fill the glass. Once it’s filled, I turn around and see a man.
“Sorry,” his deep, groggy voice says.
It’s too late. The cold glass slips from my grasp, but Lee bolts forward, bending to catch it before it shatters on the floor. Cold water splashes out of the cup and against my leg.
“Wow. Good reflexes.” My hand presses against my hammering heart.
He straightens to his full height. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”
He leans past me to set the glass on the counter and my tongue ties at him shirtless with a pair of loose-fitting navy pajama pants hanging low on his hips. His abs on display and the definedVthat leads down past the waistband of his pants cause my mouth to become drier.
“Hold still,” he softly says.
I hold my breath, unsure of what he’s about to do. Of what Iwanthim to do.
He’s so close, his breath tickles my neck as he leans in again, reaching past me for… a… dish towel.
I should not be disappointed.
Lee bends and runs the towel up my calf where the water splashed. “Hang on.” After he dries my legs, he uses the dish towel on the floor. “I don’t want you to slip.”
He looks up, kneeling in front of me, and my teeth press down on my bottom lip when our eyes lock. His gaze flicks to his oversized T-shirt I knotted in front, and I’m aware my nipples must be poking out, then back up to meet my eyes again. The ache is unnerving.
The featherlight tip of his finger runs from behind my knee down to my ankle. When he’s done, he stands and tosses the towel on the counter behind me and steps back.
The disappointment flaring in my chest pisses me off. There is no way that I’m upset he didn’t try to kiss me, is there?
This duality going on inside me is driving me crazy. I mean, I definitely was pissed when I first started on with the team, but after his speech that night at the gym, I felt myself waning. And after tonight, I’m remembering what drew me to him in the first place.
If I want to keep my heart safe, the best path forward is to continue to hate him and keep him at arm’s distance, but that’s proving difficult. Maybe it’s better to put the past behind us and move forward as friends. Then I can get resolution and a sense of where my feelings are for him.
