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“Was that better, dear?” he asked when he got in.
“So much better. Your next girlfriend will thank me.”
“It’s good of you to do all this prep work for her. What’s next on the agenda? Is this shirt too tight? Do I need to switch brands of toothpaste?”
I looked him over, wishing there was something I didn’t like about him. But I liked everything. I liked being with him. I liked the way he teased me, and encouraged me, and saw me as I was, flaws and all. How could I not give him that in return? As a friend, of course.
“There’s nothing left to fix, Denver. You’re all set.”
“Now I know you’re just messing with me.”
“Whatever.” Maybe our teasing was for the best. It was how we communicated.
He backed out of the crowded parking lot, being careful of all the pretentious sports and luxury cars just pulling in. Apparently, we were the only ones dying to leave the place.
I sat back and settled in while he maneuvered us out of the heart of Phoenix. In the dark and quiet, tiredness crept in, and worry. Tonight had stretched me in ways I’d never imagined. “I think I get why Marcel keeps asking us if we need a break. That was exhausting.”
Denver nodded. “They told me in training most BFFs only last a few months.”
“What? Are you serious? Why are you doing it then?”
“I don’t know.” Denver started to laugh, and I couldn’t help joining him. We were both slap-happy—the direct result of two people realizing they’re at the same level of dumb. I was a BFF by default. They’d tricked me into it.
There were several twenty-four-hour fast-food places up ahead, and Denver looked over at me, asking without asking if I wanted anything.
I shook my head. I was starving, but my stomach was still tied up in knots. I didn’t want fast food. “I’m good. Stop for you.”
“How about we go back to my house, and I’ll make you something.”
“Since when do you cook?” I joked, trying to make light of the butterflies immediately gathering in my stomach. He wanted to spend more time with me? Why?
It was almost midnight. If I was smart, I would not even entertain the idea. I’d jump straight from his Jeep into my car the second we arrived and put this whole night behind me. But at the moment, I didn’t feel like being smart. Sometimes, being smart was lonely.
“I make a killer omelet.”
My stomach growled, making us both laugh.
“I don’t know, Denver.”
“I’m not trying to lure you in. Stinton’s home. He’s asleep, but he’s home. Text Jenny and let her know your plans.”
“What about your other two roommates?”
“They moved out. I haven’t bothered trying to replace them. You never know. I might end up with the wrong kind of tenants. Bossy ones.”
I glared, but with no heat. “Oh, like me and Jenny?” But really, I meant me. I had weaseled my way into the deal when he offered Jenny a temporary place to stay, and we’d been butting heads ever since. Until now.
When we reached his house, he didn’t ask again. He just went around and got my door and held out his hand. I ignored the proffered hand, but I got out and followed him inside the house.
On instinct, I turned off the porch light and flipped the lock. I ducked into the guest bathroom off the foyer and freshened up as best I could. I loved that Denver was a clean freak. Yes, there was a poker table and a dart board in the living room, but it wasn’t a true bachelor pad. It couldn’t be with fresh hand towels and a pristine sink and mirror.
I took off my shoes outside the bathroom, reveling in the feel of the cold tile against my bare feet. In a house this big, it had been easy to steer clear of Denver and his roommates when I’d needed to. Which had me wondering how Denver could pay the mortgage on the place with only one roommate. I ducked into one of the empty bedrooms and texted Jenny. She was probably already asleep, but it was better not to make her worry just in case. Considering I usually had no social life, me being out past midnight was pretty unusual.
Unfortunately, she was up.
Jenny: You’re at Denver’s house?!?!?
Followed immediately by,
