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Hazel’seyebrows went up. “Oh, that was you?”
“Justhaving a little fun at my brother’s expense,” he said, clappingAdamon the shoulder.Adamgrunted. “Anyway,I’mgoing to head out.Niceto meet you.”
“Howdid you…”Hazelstarted and then swallowed, her gaze darting back and forth betweenJackandAdam. “Howdid you know it was me?LastnightIlooked…not like this…and it was dark, and…”
HeelbowedAdam. “Hisreaction when you stepped out.”Hewinked atHazeland offered her the bag that still held a couple of donuts.Shetook it, watching him with an unreadable expression on her face.
Afterhe left, she opened the bag and practically shoved her face inside. “OhmyGod,” she moaned in a way that madeAdam’sblood heat. “Thesesmell amazing.”
Shepulled one out and took a bite, andAdamfelt as though he was mesmerized.He’dnever experienced anything like this before, and he already knew that his resolve to keep his distance from her was in tatters.
Maybeheshouldtake a page out ofJack’sbook and stop thinking about everything so much.
“What’sthe plan for today?” he asked her.Shestilled when he reached up and brushed a crumb away from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.Shelicked her lips, and there was an answering tug in his gut.God, he wanted to kiss her again.Kissher and so much more.
“Openmanuscript.Stareat manuscript.Questionevery life decisionI’veever made to get here.Drinktoo much coffee.Resumestaring at manuscript.”
Helaughed. “Thatsounds both torturous and familiar.”
“Youknow what’s weird?Peoplealways assume thatImust love writing.ThatIlive for it.But…Idon’t thinkIdo.Idon’t enjoy the actual writing, butIalways enjoy having written.”
Helaughed again. “Likeexercise.Orcleaning.”
Apretty smile spread across her face, making his heart feel wobbly. “Exactly.”Sheshook her head. “Ilike talking to you about writing.You…you just get it.”
“Maybea change of scenery would help?You’rewelcome to set up in here,” he said, gesturing at the sunroom behind them.Heknew from experience that it was a peaceful place to write.Healso knew that if she worked there, he’d get to watch her all day.
“Imight.Thenyou can have a front row seat to me tearing my hair out.”
Thesudden image of his fist in her hair seared through him, and he cleared his throat. “Youknow,Iwas thinking about your book last night.”
“Youwere?”
Henodded. “Icould read what you have, if you want.”
Shesighed. “Maybe.Thereisn’t much to read, honestly.Youknow,Iwas thinking about your advice from last night.”
“Oh?” he asked, trying to remember what he’d said.Hismind was too full ofHazelto remember his own words.
“Yeah.IthinkImight just…write.Whatevercomes to mind.Seewhere it takes me.Plus,Ido think it would be freeing to write somethingSethhas never seen or had his hands on.IfIdo that, do you think you might…you might read it?”
“I’dbe honored.”
Hereyes went wide. “Speakingof,Ineed a copy of your book.Sinceyou said there’s one here.”
Hisheart did a weird little stuttering motion in his chest at the thought ofHazelreading his book.Henodded and tipped his head toward the sunroom. “Followme.”
Thepalm of his hand tingled as she walked beside him, their fingers brushing slightly.Shemade a soft humming noise in the back of her throat that he almost wasn’t sure he’d heard.Thetingle spread outward from his palm and up his arm until it felt as though it was vibrating.
Theystepped into the lounge, but at the threshold,Hazeltripped slightly, catching her toe on the sill.Oninstinct, he reached out to steady her, wrapping his fingers around her wrist.Thebuzzing inside him settled as soon as he had his hand on her.
Shepushed her glasses up her nose and shot him a sheepishly adorable smile. “Clearly,Ihaven’t had my coffee yet.”
“Aproblem with an easy solution,” he said. “Letme find you the book and thenI’llget you some coffee fresh from the kitchen.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” she said. “It’snot likeI’mgoing to leave you a bad review onYelpat this point.”
Hechuckled. “Well, that’s a relief.Whatwould your review say?”
