“Sorry, I’d say more, but my shower calls.”
“Asshole.”
Jess walks away, chuckling, and I make my way down the stairs to meet Dare at the bottom. I stand on the last step, arms crossed, waiting for him. He walks in, hands full of coffees and two white paper bags.
“Morning, Sally.” He extends the drink carrier toward me in offering, but I don’t take one.
“What happened last night? Did you lie to me?”
“Your brother’s got a big mouth.” Dare sighs, setting the drinks and bags onto the floor, before walking up to me. He still towers over me, even with the extra inches from the step. His arms circle my waist. I arch an eyebrow, waiting for an answer.
“I didn’t lie—not technically. I didn’t touch him. He ran his mouth, so instead of killing him, like I wanted to, I beat up his car instead.”
I shake my head, hating that he’s involved in this at all. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why are you worrying about him?” he asks, his voice slightly more accusatory than I’m okay with.
“I’m not worried about him, you idiot. I’m worried about you. This isn’t your mess.” Eric isn’t used to rejection. The man probably never heard the word no before I came along. It’s not about me. It’s about winning. He’s like a child throwing a tantrum, and everyone knows the fastest way to make it go away is to ignore it.
“I’m a big boy, Lo,” he says, his hands smoothing down the dip in my lower back before palming my ass. Ducking his head down, his nose burrows into my still-wet hair, and I feel his breath on my neck. “I can make my own decisions.”
“I have to admit…you getting all protective does get me kind of hot.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Mhm.” I nod, bottom lip between my teeth. “But you’re still an idiot.”
“Yeah, well, this idiot brought you the best cherry danish you’ll ever have. Where’s Jesse?”
“Shower,” I answer simply, as if I’m not swooning on the inside. Dare nods.
“These the new clothes?” he asks, backing up to look me up and down.
“What do you think? Do I look like a real local now?”
“Hotter,” he says. “But I can’t take all the credit. I had some help from Briar and Mollie.”
“Ah, that would explain the lingerie.” I laugh.
“Say what now?” Dare asks, hooking a finger into the neck of my shirt and peeking inside. I slap his hand away, earning a groan.
“Later.” Besides, I’m not wearing the pretty stuff right now.
Jess barrels down the stairs, louder than a herd of elephants, and helps himself to a cup of coffee. “What’s in the bag?” he says, eyeing it like he’s about to score something illegal.
“Pastries,” Dare says flatly. He bends over and fishes something out before handing the bag to Jess. “Go to town.”
Jess doesn’t need to be told twice, taking it over to the counter to inspect the goods. Dare hands me a danish with cherries and cream cheese in the middle. The sweet, tart smell alone has my mouth watering, but the taste is what has my eyes rolling back into my head.
“This is amazing,” I say around a mouthful. Dare’s eyes land on my lips. He swipes his thumb across the bottom one before sucking the excess off.
“Ready to go?” Jess asks. Dare clears his throat and schools his features before turning around.
“Ready when you are.”
Jess shrugs his backpack over one shoulder while I grab my purse, making sure to bring my danish and coffee, then we’re on our way.
“What are you up to today?” Dare asks as we near Henry’s house.