Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I frowned, trying to follow that logic. “Aren’t partnerships just between two people?”
“Not always,” she said. A secretive smile played across her lips. Then she set her cup down. “Why not just keep getting to know them for right now? And focus on your class. It sounds hard. Things will work out in the end. They did for me.”
“I’m glad they did.” But I was very worried about whether they would for me.
A few nights later, Ian actually joined us for dinner, and I was glad that I’d made a chicken dish that was one of his favorites. But he went right up to his room after dinner, not staying for drinks and conversation, and Theo and I exchanged glances as he left. But at least he’d joined us for a while.
Back in my room after the dishes were done, I thought about what Naomi had said. Theo was important to me, but besides a few flirty exchanges, we hadn’t done anything since that day I’d gone to my room.
And Ian and I hadn’t done anything, not even kissed, but I couldn’t help having feelings for him. And not just because he was going through a rough time, but because he was a good guy. I still wondered, from time to time, if he might be Night Owl, who still texted me from time to time.
I opened my textbook, but I was too restless to focus, so I went upstairs and took a shower. Even though it was late at night, I took some time to make myself look and feel my best. Then I changed, pulled on my robe, and went back downstairs.
Instead of going to my room, I bypassed it and went to Ian’s. A strip of light was visible under the door, so I knew he was still up.
Before I could change my mind, I knocked on the door.
“Room service,” I announced.
20
HAILEY
“Hi, Hailey.”
Theo appeared in the main room when I was trying to scrub a stain from a sofa cushion. I was pretty sure it had happened at the most recent party.
This was the first time I’d seen Theo since my visit to Ian’s room, and I felt a little self-conscious. Not guilty, exactly, but it was still a bit awkward even after what Naomi had told me.
I hadn’t seen Ian yet, either, but the memory of his hands on me… his tongue in me… that boy had skills. Why was it always the quiet ones?
“Do you always smile from ear-to-ear while you scrub a sofa?”
“Nope, just recently.” I hesitated, not sure if he wanted something. “Do you want me to make you a snack or something?”
“No thanks. I think I’m going to get a quick workout in before dinner.”
Visions of him with his shirt off, tattoos flexing as he lifted weights filled my head.
“Now you’re smiling again.”
I shrugged. “It’s just that kind of day.”
“Good. You need more days like that.” I nodded in whole-hearted agreement as he said goodbye and headed downstairs.
I was on my hands and knees using the vacuum attachment to try to get some stray chips out from under a loveseat when Ian wandered in. These guys sure had a knack for showing up when I was in awkward positions.
“Hi.” My voice was a little shy, so I cleared my throat and tried again. “How’s it going?”
“Good.” His smile was genuine, and his eyes were kind, making what could have been an awkward moment more comfortable. “I was hoping I’d see you here.”
“On the floor?” I asked, and he laughed.
“If that’s what you’re into. Can I ask what you’re doing?”
“There’s a bunch of crap under here, like crumbs and such. I’m trying to clean it so we don’t get bugs.” Oops. I’d said we. This wasn’t my home, and I needed to remember that. I’d be moving out in a matter of weeks, but that was too painful to think about—both because I’d miss these guys so much and because I didn’t have anywhere to go.
Ian came over and leaned down, planting a kiss on the top of my head. It was a nice gesture, but after crawling around on the floor trying to clean under things, I sincerely hoped that there were no cobwebs in my hair. Then, to my surprise, Ian moved to the end of the loveseat, squatted down, and then lifted up the front. He pulled it back so that it was balancing on the back legs, and I had ample room to see the gross array of stuff under it.
“Thanks.” I swept quickly, not wanting to make him have to hold it up for longer than he needed to. Then again, he was strong. Very strong. I’d traced my tongue over some of those muscles myself.
When I was done, he set the loveseat down and I got to my feet, brushing myself off.