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With a smile, he says, “Just point me toward the dryer.”
I gesture toward the mudroom off the kitchen where the washer and dryer are. Shane disappears in that direction, and I can’t help but sneak a peek at his ass as he walks by. Damn, it’s like two round apples.
Good lord, at this point, I don’t know if I’m hungry or horny.
Both. I’m guessing it’s both.
He returns moments later and takes a seat across from me at the table, careful to hold his towel in place while he does it.
Slowly, he brings the steaming mug to his lips and takes a sip. “Good coffee,” he says while setting it back down.
I take a drink of my own, breaking the silence between us. “Okay, I feel like I have a couple of things I need to say here. First off, let’s move past the elephant in the room…you saw me naked. Well, almost naked.”
He looks down at the towel. “Well, Jenna, I think we are about even.”
I try to stifle a giggle, but it doesn’t work. “Fair enough. But I need you to know that I’m not this girl.”
“What girl would that be?” He asks.
“The girl who needs rescuing. The girl who needs a man to show up on a white horse to save the day.”
“I’ll have you know that I’m doing no such thing. My horse is in the shop.”
I can’t help but smile at him. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do. And although I am under no delusions that you need any type of assistance, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help sometimes.” He sets his hand on top of mine, and it sends a surge of electricity shooting up to my shoulder.
What the hell was that?
Clearing my throat and attempting to clear my head, I say, “I’m just embarrassed that I needed help at all. Typically, I’m very independent.”
“Oh, I have no doubt. I’m sure you are more than capable of doing things on your own.”
We fall silent for another few moments. Usually, I’m not one who has to fill the quiet with mindless chatter, but I feel awkward sitting here with this gorgeous half-naked man and not uttering a word.
I blurt, “So, what have you been up to the past three years?” To top off the stupid question, I add a super awkward giggle.
“I wish I had some great story, but I don’t. Graduating just meant I went from working part-time to full-time. I’m sure your life has been much more interesting, college girl.”
“Former college girl,” I correct. Pointing to my cast, I add, “This sort of derailed all my big plans.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” His tone makes me believe him. “How’d you get hurt? Playing volleyball?”
“Actually, no. I went running and pushed myself too hard, I guess. I took a pretty nasty fall.”
“Damn,” he replies. “And when can you play again?”
“No more volleyball for me, I’m afraid.” This is one of the first times I have said those words aloud, and hearing myself say it makes it real.
I try to push the sorrow out of my mind because it will not do any good.
“So, Shane, do you have a girlfriend?”
Shit. Where the hell did that come from?
He gives me a crooked grin. “No girlfriend. But I have a date tomorrow, so we’ll see how that goes.”
“Sounds fun,” I reply
