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It slowly opened, but only a crack. “What?”
“Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Don’t tell me you’re planning on bringing back some other crop,” he said as he opened the door fully.
“I—” I stopped. Every part of my brain ground to a halt. “You’re shirtless.”
His golden skin was dotted with hair. Every muscle of his torso was on display, and his shoulders were even more impressive when not hidden.
“I was heading to bed. What do you need?”
I opened and closed my mouth, trying to remember any thought other thanhow can a man be this hot?
“Uh, plans. Questions! I have questions for you.”
“Questions?”
“A single question. But a big ask. Kinda.”
“Is it about crops? Because I have a feeling you have ideas that’ll make us be outside more.”
“I do, but it’s way too late in the season. This is about our plan to make the entire town like you.”
“Shit,” he muttered. “Now I see why it’s a big ask.”
“And you haven’t even heard what it is yet.”
He sighed, but gestured for me to sit on the bed. I tried to play it cool, but my stomach tied itself into a knot as I took in everything about his room.
It was painted in the same green as mine, but it had pictures of Eric on the walls and a fluffy white rug on the floor over the hardwood. Two lamps illuminated the space, giving it a cozy and intimate feel.
Neither of which I needed.
“Your silence is terrifying.” Cain’s voice brought me out of my thoughts.
“Oh, sorry.” I shook off my curiosity and focused on him. His face. Not his naked torso. “So, next week, I’m going out to the bar.”
“What does this have to do with me?”
“I was thinking that it could be good for you to go as well.”
“Why?” he asked slowly. I played with my hands in my lap. His eyes were already narrowed. This didn’t mean anything good for me.
“I was talking to Jackie ...”
“And?”
“And she was saying that you need to get out of the house more.”
“I already am. With Eric. Like we agreed.”
“Right,” I replied. “But the people of this town need to knowyoutoo.”
“They don’t.”
“Didn’t you say the issue was with you?”
“They’ll think I’m not a good parent if I’m out late at a bar.”