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“Technically, I don’t live anywhere.”
“Oh shit,” I blurt out. “I—”
“I mean, I still live at home with my dad, but I’m trying to change that. Ashley asked me to move in with them, but I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet.”
Privately, I’m thinking,You’re having a baby together!But that doesn’t mean they’re ready to live together. So I don’t comment. It’s not any of my business, anyway.
“Hey, your sister is looking for a new roommate. You should ask her about it.”
“I…I will. I’m not sure she’ll go for it, but I won’t know till I ask. And Ashley lives near here, so that would be good for when the baby comes,” he muses.
The elevator finally comes to a halt and we file out and head down the hall.
“I’m gonna shower real fast. I’ll be ready when Ava gets here.” Isaac disappears into the guest room, and I plop down onto the couch.
* * *
By the time we reach the tiny house Ava’s client, Gavin, is staying in, I’m more than ready to get out of the car. The tension between Ava and Isaac could be cut with a knife.
“Hey, guys. Come on in.” Gavin Archer is a world-famous rock star, but when he greets us at the door, he looks like a normal guy. Sure, a ridiculously good-looking guy, but still pretty normal.
“Gavin, this is my brother, Isaac,” Ava introduces us. “And of course you know Phoebe. Although she doesn’t remember much from last night.”
An image of Gavin from the night before resurfaces, and suddenly I remember something else. “I do remember puking on you. So sorry about that.”
“It’s fine. We all survived.” Gavin laughs, offering his hand to Isaac. “Nice to meet you, Isaac.”
“Hey there.” Isaac shakes Gavin’s hand. “I’m a fan, really. You write some amazing lyrics.”
“Thank you, man. I appreciate that. That’s what I was trying to do when I passed out and failed to have dinner ready,” Gavin jokes.
“That’s okay. We can all make dinner,” I offer, peering around Isaac to the kitchenette. “What’s on the menu?”
“I don’t think so. I’m cooking,” Gavin insists. “You’re my guests. You guys can go out back and enjoy the hot tub if you want, and I’ll get dinner ready.”
The idea of the hot tub has me convinced, and I nod. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
“Are you kidding?” Ava laughs. “It’s freezing outside, Phoebe. You’ll catch pneumonia.”
“You don’t get sick from the weather,” I retort. “You get sick from germs.”
“There could be germs in the hot tub,” Isaac comments, taking a seat on the small sofa. “And we don’t have swimsuits.”
All of them are being a bunch of party poopers, as Chance would say, and I’m done with that. Without a second thought, I strip down to my bra and panties and head out the front door without another word. I probably should have thought the barefoot part through, as there is still snow on the ground, but it’s too late now. I run across the ground and up the steps, racing the bitter cold.
I sink into the warm, inviting hot tub with a low groan, relishing the sensation of the soothing heat as it envelops my body. I lean back, resting my head on the side, and close my eyes. It’s quiet up here, all the hustle and bustle of the city feeling like it’s a million miles away, and I’m left to think about my offer to buy my aunt and uncle’s business. I’d love to keep it in the family, and it’s one of my favorite places in the world. I’ve always felt safe there.
“How’s the water?” Isaac’s voice interrupts my musings, and I open my eyes to see him standing a few feet away, stripped down to his boxers.
“It’s like heaven.” I sigh, and then I remember seeing him earlier and thinking he was an angel. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a few hours. It seems like a lifetime ago. I’ve changed my whole future since then. Isaac was a stranger this morning, but now he’s a stranger I’ve spent an amazing day with.
The sight of him in so little distracts me, and as he climbs in, I don’t avert my gaze from his form. “You know, this morning when I saw you, I worried I had died and gone to heaven.”
“Why in the world did you think that?” Isaac laughs as he sits next to me, then releases a low hiss of satisfaction.
“You looked like an angel when you came into the room, with curly locks and a hangover cure.” I nudge him with my elbow.
“Well, I’m flattered, really. But I’m no angel.” He doesn’t elaborate on the reasons why.
