By the time I smooth the last bit of lotion over my skin, I feel marginally better.Notgreat.But like maybe, maybe, I’ll be able to shut my brain off long enough to sleep.
But first—a shower.
The thought hits me, and I hesitate, glancing toward my door.I should go now, while I have the chance.The last thing I need is to risk running into him again in the hallway.
I exhale sharply, pressing my fingers to my temples.This is ridiculous.I live here.I shouldn’t have to feel like I’m sneaking around my own damn house.
Decision made, I push off the stool, reaching for my pajamas so I can head to the bathroom?—
Then I hear it.
The telltale creak of the hallway floor.Slow.Unhurried.
The bathroom door clicking shut.
And then?—
The unmistakable hiss of the shower turning on.
Oh.Oh.
My brain short-circuits so hard I physically sit back down.
Because Joel Price is in my house.
In my bathroom.
About to be completely, 100% naked… if he isn’t already.
The thought hits differently as I hear the shower curtain being pulled back.The water running, the faint reverberation of the pipes—it’s all undeniable proof that there is a wet, very bare Joel standing approximately fifteen feet away.
I feel my soul leave my body.
How have I not thought about this before?I’m the logical one.My contingency plans have contingency plans.
And why,why, is it the only thing I can think about now?
About him.
In there.
Water running down his broad, stupidly defined shoulders.Steam curling around his too-tall, too-annoying frame.Soap trailing down?—
NOPE.NO.STOP IT.
ABORT.
I shoot up like I’ve been electrocuted, then sit right back down because my legs are no longer trustworthy.
No.No, no,no.
This is not happening.
I refuse to let this happen.
I grab my face towel and scrub at my cheeks, like I can physically exorcise the thought from my brain.It doesn’t work.
I lunge for my headphones, pure survival instinct, scrolling through my phone with hands that are shaking slightly.