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“Good. If I was a dad, I’d want to know some strange guy had access to my daughter’s house. Dunno how Tristan let such a smart lady escape.” He pulled a face. “Wow, that sounded creepy.”
I laughed again then pointed at the bike in the garage. “That’s his. I’ll get the other boxes. The only thing I can’t carry down easily is the TV.”
“I can get that. No problem.”
We loaded everything then went upstairs. While I threw Tristan’s cold food in a grocery bag, Aithan crouched to give Frank and Lulu belly rubs and got purrs and head-butts in return.
“Aw, man, you guys are cute.” He stood. “I love cats, but one of my roommates is allergic. Otherwise, I’d have three or four or eight.”
“You wanna be a crazy cat lady?”
“Totally.” He sniffed. “It smells great in here.”
“It does?” I inhaled. “Oh, grilled onions. I made pot roast last night.”
“Beautifulandshe cooks? Can’t believe Tristan messed this up.”
Blushing, I busied myself with the paper bag and watched him from the corner of my eye. Good goddamn, the man was a visual feast. I’d thought Tristan was hot, but next to Aithan Mazur, my ex was chopped liver.
That was the one thing I’d liked about Tristan; he was a good-looking guy. Too bad he was ugly on the inside.
After another appreciative whiff, Aithan hefted the TV and headed for the stairs. I followed, enjoying the view. The man’s physique was a marvel, corded muscles flexing under a tight, long-sleeved T-shirt. Hell, he probably had an eight pack that I definitely didn’t need to be thinking about.
He loaded the last two items, then closed the back of the SUV and offered his hand. “It was really nice meeting you, Zelda.”
I returned his handshake, relieved when he didn’t crush my fingers. (Fuck, the guy was a gentleman, too? Not fair.) “Thanks for taking all this stuff and for not being a creeper.”
He shrugged. “I’m pretty wholesome.”
I laughed. “Wholesome? I can’t remember the last time I heard someone called that.”
He grinned. His whole face lit up with it, and I think I ovulated. “That’s what my littlest sister calls me. She’s fourteen.”
“Well, I like wholesome. Don’t have enough of that in my life.”
His smile widened. “Good to know.”
“That sounded idiotic, right?”
“Nope, it soundedwholesome.”
We laughed. He climbed into the SUV and started the engine. I headed into the garage but stopped when I heard his window roll down.
“Zelda?”
I went back outside. “Yeah?”
“You wanna get coffee some time? My treat.”
“Coffee?”
“Yeah. You know,” he raised his blue mug, “this stuff. Popular in Seattle.”
This walking man-god was askingmeout? Was this a joke? Or did he just smell an opportunity to get some easy tail? “Maybe.” I chewed my lower lip. “I mean, it’s been less than a week since I split with Tristan.” I looked down and kicked a stone across the driveway. “Wouldn’t it be kinda bitchy to dump him, then go out for coffee with his boss a week later?”
He smirked and it was so friggin’ cute. “That’s probably true. And I don’t want you to feel pressured, so take your time.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ll text you so you have my number. The offer doesn’t expire.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket. “Okay. Thanks, Aithan. For that and for schlepping Tristan’s shit. And for being wholesome.”
