It was just sleep.
And we’re just friends.
But my head keeps blurring that line. It keeps beg
ging for more. For shit that can’t happen.
She steps into the hallway in a tight black dress. Her hair is dry but messy. Her face is bare.
She looks just as gorgeous without makeup.
But knowing no one else sees her like this…
Her cheeks flush as her eyes meet mine. She smooths her dress. Adjusts its straps. “It smells like coffee.”
“I can fill a thermos.”
“Thanks.” She moves to the dining table, takes a seat, digs through her messenger bag for her makeup. “I have more clothes here than I thought.”
“You want a drawer?”
“Oh.” She flips a compact mirror. Stares at her reflection as she lines her lips in red. “Yeah. If you don’t mind.”
I don’t.
But then I can’t offer her this either.
Not when she’s after some other guy.
Not when—
Fuck, my head hurts.
I stay busy filling a thermos with coffee, fixing it the way she likes. I find a second, fill it with what’s left, add a hint of cream and sugar.
It’s warm, rich, sweet, but it’s not satisfying.
Leighton swipes purple over her eyes. Outlines them in grey. Coats her lashes in black.
There’s an intimacy to this too.
Like she’s inviting me into her world.
I watched Penny get ready a million times. In the beginning, it felt like this.
Like she was mine.
But Leighton isn’t mine.
She isn’t gonna be mine.
I need to destroy that idea.
I down half my coffee in three gulps. Move to the table to hand Leighton hers.
She looks up at me with a blissful smile. “Thanks.” She takes a long sip and lets out a soft groan. “Mmm. Perfect.”
“We should go.”