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CAUGHT IN THE COOKIE JAR
Stopping by Ava’s after my long-ass first day at the café is the last thing I want to do. After my encounter with Isaac earlier, I’m not looking forward to seeing him again. But he’ll no doubt be home, and I promised to pick up some papers for her since the café is closer to her place and we’re meeting for dinner.
God, I felt like an idiot. How had I never heard Isaac’s story? Why didn’t Ava bring it up? I know she’s not super close with him, but mentioning his situation would have really just been a common courtesy. I rack my brain as I ride the slow-ass elevator. The steps were closed for painting.
When I reach the apartment door, I take a deep breath before finally making myself knock. There’s no answer, and while I still have the key she gave me, it seems uncomfortable letting myself in if he’s home alone. I wait another minute and knock again, but after I knock a third time, it’s obvious he’s not going to open the door, even if he does hear it. With a sigh, I dig out my keys and let myself in, then lock the door securely behind me.
“Hello,” I call as I make my way to Ava’s room. “It’s me, Phoebe. Just grabbing a file for Ava.”
Aclunkfrom the spare bedroom reveals Isaac’s location, but I don’t say anything else and move on to Ava’s room to look for the file. Flipping through her stuff is so uncomfortable, but she swears this one is sealed and it’s okay for me to grab. I turn to leave, closing Ava’s bedroom door behind me just as Isaac’s door opens. He leans against the doorframe, his hair ruffled and eyes heavy. His presence sends a charge throughout the air, my skin prickling with anticipation as my body turns toward him instinctively.
Because now that I know Isaac isn’t in a relationship, my mind is no longer blocking my body’s attraction to him. The way I felt the day we met. The memory of his nurturing side. His determination to help me find my dream.
“Hey.” A ghost of a smile flits across his face.
“Hey,” I breathe, trying not to be annoyed that he didn’t answer the door. “I did knock.”
To my surprise, his cheeks flush. “I’m sorry, I was…” He bites his lower lip as if to stop himself from saying more.
Heat ignites in my core, spreading throughout my limbs as I imagine what could have had him so distracted. The image of him pleasuring himself pops into my mind, him biting that bottom lip the same way I just witnessed. Maybe he’d think about me…
Isaac clears his throat, interrupting my vision. “I’m sorry about our miscommunication.”
His eyes lock on mine so intensely that my feet won’t move. It’s as if I’m rooted to the ground now, held in place by his gaze.
“I feel like shit because I never asked you enough about your life apparently,” I hurry to respond, crossing my arms over my chest, being careful not to wrinkle the envelope.
He opens his mouth to say something else when music erupts from his pocket, and he pulls out his cell phone. “This is Ashley. I have to take it.”
“Go right ahead. I’ve got to run this to Ava anyway.” I don’t think it’s urgent, but pretending like it is gives me an excuse to get the hell out. I turn to leave, my body still intensely aroused by my fantasy.
Isaac’s focused on his phone, so I point toward Ava’s door to motion that I’m going to use the restroom, and he nods so I duck back into Ava’s room.
I lock the door, leaning back so it supports my weight, and remind myself to breathe. My heavy breasts rub against my shirt, my nipples pebbling at the contact, and I conjure up my picture of Isaac again, sprawled on his bed majestically and fisting himself. My fingers trail over my shirt to my zipper. This isn’t wrong. Isaac is single. He must like me, or he wouldn’t have asked me out. Sure, he’s a bit younger, but that’s no big deal. That movie star Chandler Thomas has a wife a decade older than him, right?
A bang on the door interrupts my thoughts, and I jump, jerking my hand away like I’ve been caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
“Phoebe, can you drive me to the hospital?” Isaac’s panicked tone is discernible. “Ashley’s water broke, and they’re headed there now.”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll be right out.” After washing my hands, I rush out the door, nearly running into Isaac.
“Sorry.” He shakes himself. His face is as white as a ghost, his pupils huge. “I’m just…freaking out a bit.”
“It’ll be fine. Sometimes babies take a while too. We should have time,” I reassure him, grabbing my keys off the kitchen counter as we head to the door.
I turn on my heel and nearly fall over Isaac, who’s bent down tying his shoe. Good Lord, I could have broken my neck. He glances up then, and now he’s eye level with my crotch. Fantastic. I back away, not wanting to shove myself into his face, but I need to grab Ava’s file. She’ll surely be at the hospital.
“Oh, and Phoebe…” Isaac moves to his feet, the apples of his cheeks now tinged pink.
We lock eyes, and his lips part slowly. If this were a movie, music would be playing, and I instinctively lean closer to him.
“Your zipper’s…” He glances down and my mouth falls open.
“Oh my god.”
He turns and grabs the file for me, and I hurry to zip up my pants before we’re out the door and off to the hospital. No time for embarrassment right now—there’s a baby on the way.
We load up in my car, and I step onto the gas, determined to get Isaac there before his daughter is born.
