Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 104657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“Shit,” I mumble, quickly picking up the wet towel and then tossing it onto my vanity before I fetch my wallet and jog down the stairs.
“Enjoy your class,” Liz says.
“Mm-hm,” I mumble a second before closing the door behind me.
I’ve been practicing tai chi for years. I’m not the youngest person in the class, but I’m close. My friends enjoy razzing me about it, but I’m too secure to give a shit what they think. It’s my favorite way of meditating and bringing everything back into balance.
Except this morning.
My moves are jerky and chaotic instead of gentle and controlled. Today we’re in the park instead of the studio. There are plenty of good distractions: the trees, the clouds, the breeze. Yet, every time I think of Everleigh’s naked body, I get an erection, so I hold my breath as if it’s a balloon that I can choose to stop inflating. After suffering through the hour of my day that’s supposed to be least stressful, I head home.
Thankfully, Everleigh and her mom are gone, so I make an omelet and toast and then mow the yard. Just as I’m blowing the grass off the sidewalk, the women return.
Liz gives me a quick glance and smile before continuing into the house, but Everleigh saunters toward me with a knowing smirk.
I turn off the blower and slide my safety glasses onto my head. “Did you find a place? Awesome. When are you moving out?”
“Funny. I told you I’m building a barndominium. But yes, I found ten acres with a pond for fishing, and I’m meeting with the Realtor on Monday to sign papers. If you don’t work this weekend, I’ll show it to you. The view is breathtaking.”
“Sounds great, but I do work this weekend, so I’ll just take your word for it. I’m happy for you.” I carry the blower to the garage and return it to its hook beside the Weed eater.
“Sorry I didn’t get the bathroom door completely shut this morning,” she says.
Jesus. She has no tact. Who says that shit? I know she knows. She knows I know. That’s where it ends. At least, that’s where it should end.
“I’d rather you be sorry that you lied to me about not using my razor to shave your pits.” Two can play this game.
“I’ll buy you a new razor.”
“No need. You’re leaving.”
She laughs. “Not until my barndo is finished.”
“You’re messy and invasive. I can’t have you stay until your barn is filled with hay and oats.”
“Stop.” She giggles.
I return my safety glasses to the top drawer of my workbench, grumbling because her exercise equipment is everywhere. As soon as I turn, she’s right in front of me, invading my personal space.
“You make me sound like a mold infestation,” she says.
“Speaking of mold. If you don’t use the exhaust fan when you take a hundred-and-ten-degree shower, I’ll have mildew on the bathroom ceiling.”
“I had to shut off the fan to listen for you before I ran into your bathroom to borrow your razor. And then you flustered me, so I forgot to turn the fan back on.”
“Sorry. Being flustered isn’t a good excuse.” I step past her and then bend down to brush the grass off my boots.
“Did you call your dad back?”
“Fuck,” I mumble.
As soon as I stand straight, she’s back in my space, lips slightly pursed into a smirk I don’t trust. “Let me guess, you were too flustered to remember?”
“Isn’t it time for your nap?” I squint.
“Nappuccino. And no. Not until after lunch. Speaking of lunch. Maren and Jamie asked me to brunch tomorrow morning. Did you hire them to do your dirty work?”
Really. She’s way too close to me.
I take a step back and cross my arms to keep a barrier between us. “I don’t need to hire anyone to do my dirty work. I already told you this arrangement isn’t going to work. Maybe they feel sorry for you and want to help you in the interim until your barn is complete.”
“So you don’t want me to say anything about our sexual tension?”
“There’s no sexual tension.”
“You cockblocked me last night. Then you watched me shower this morning.”
“Pfft.” I jerk my head back before shaking it. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Everleigh takes a step forward. “If they offer me an alternate place to live, I’ll consider it, but not before calling your bluff.”
“What bluff?”
“The one where you pretend to hate me for what happened eleven years ago. Then there’s the one where you pretend you’re not attracted to me. I love mind games. I’ve made a living playing them. So even when I call your bluff, we can continue to let your friends think we’re enemies. I love a good affair, like Jamie and Calvin. Sneaking around. The thrill of almost getting caught.” She waggles her eyebrows.