We were a few weeks into August and the weather changed in Florida. Although still stifling hot during the day, the humidity was thicker and stickier by nightfall. I began fidgeting with my zipper so I could remove my jacket before I walked outside, but it was stuck on the material. I placed my books on a nearby table to fix it.
I was oblivious to the world when a whisper of breath brushed across my skin. “Do you need help with that?”
My hand flew to my neck and I spun around at the voice in surprise.
Hayden.
“Shit! You scared the crap out of me!”
Hayden grinned, his dimples showing. My eyes shifted to his shoulders, and even through the light gray hoodie, I could see his well defined muscles.
“Sorry, I just saw you were stuck and thought I’d help.”
Simmer down, hormones.
“Aid, do you need help with that?” he asked, nodding toward my hands.
Shaking my head, I snapped out of it. “Ummm, yeah, thanks.”
Hayden fiddled with my zipper and asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry...I’m just exhausted.” He grinned and my stomach rumbled.
“And apparently hungry, too.”
Heat crept up my neck and into my cheeks, embarrassed over how loudly my stomach grumbled.
“Yeah, that too, but I’m too tired to eat, and the last thing I want is one of the prepared meals I have waiting for me at home.”
Hayden’s brows angled toward each other, so I answered his perplexed look.
“My mom has fresh meals prepared and delivered to me weekly. The thought of putting that in my mouth right now doesn’t sound as appealing as face planting into bed. Most of the time I can deal with them, but if I never had to look at another piece of fish or bark again, it would be too soon. So I’d rather not eat.”
“Bark? Like from a tree?”
I chuckled, thinking how funny that sounded. “Not really bark, just food that has nothing in it, no spices, and tastes horrible. Not to mention, they’re small servings.”
He nodded, accepting my answer. “Why don’t you just go food shopping?”
I shrugged. “Truthfully, my mom would have a conniption if I bought something she didn’t approve of. Plus, I just don’t have the energy.”
“So you’re just not going to eat?” He fumbled with my zipper and finally got it down my body.
“I have some fruit I can pick at.”
“Adrianna, you have to eat,” he said, grabbing hold of my hips. Since that kiss in my condo, Hayden hadn’t been this forward with his touch. So naturally I noticed his hands on my body.
“Let’s go. We’re going to grab something to eat together.”
“Where would we go?”
“There’s a Gino’s Pizza up the street. How about there?”
“My mother would kill me if I had pizza.”
Squeezing me closer, Hayden looked around aimlessly. I followed his gaze, curious to see who he was looking for, but I didn’t see anyone.
“Adrianna, do you see her anywhere? She won’t find out about it and I promise not to tell her.” The corner of his mouth perked up.