Page 30 of Riptide

I shake my head, amused despite myself. “Or it’s just a maybe.”

“Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt, son.” He hands me one of the donuts.

I chuckle, taking the first bite, the sweetness coating my tongue. “You really have too much free time, you know that?”

“And you really need to get laid more often.”

I groan around a mouthful. “Oh my god, Eugene—”

“I’m just saying!”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the laugh that escapes. We walk on, the morning sun warming our backs, and I find myself glancing at my phone again, just in case.

Chapter thirteen

Finn

It’sbeenjustundera week, and all I’ve done is think about him and spend my non-Rosie time messaging him. I’m not ashamed to admit that I caved and didn’t wait any acceptable amount of time to reach out. I lasted less than twenty-four hours.

I’ve had hookups before, with men and women, and they’ve always been a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am situation—no strings, no lingering thoughts. But something about Foxx has me craving a repeat. Cravinghim, and that’s totally new for me. No one’s ever gotten under my skin. So tell me why I can’t stop thinking about this guy.

Foxx

So you’re saying you sleep with socks on? What kind of animal are you?

I chuckle at that. We’ve been debating random shit all morning. I’ve found out he likes puzzles, Italian food, his bestfriend is eighty, and he’s the type to remove pickles from burgers, which is a crime.

Finn

I get cold feet and then I wake up, so they stay on.

Foxx

I’m beginning to re-think this whole hooking up regularly thing with you… I had no idea about the socks.

Finn

What if I’m totally naked except for the socks?

The bubbles appear, and then…

Foxx

Totally naked implies there’re no clothes on you at all, and I could get on board with that.

The hunger I felt for him the first time we met flares to life inside me. God, how can he affect me so much when we’ve hooked up once? Yeah, okay, I’m thinking about it now, in detail. Would it be the worst thing if we hooked up so soon? I have no frame of reference for how this should go between us. None of my one-night stands have turned into another night before. It’s too soon to label anything, and I wouldn’t dream of bringing it up either. Apparently, my brain is just on overdrive today. I guess I’ll just be myself and own it. He can take or leave it that way.

Rosie’s sleep monitor lights up, just as her soft cries filter through the speaker, pulling my attention. Right on time.

Finn

As much as I’d love to keep talking to you about that topic, I’ve gotta run.

I see the read receipt, and then type one more thing.

Finn

Oh, and unlike you, I’m not opposed to a dick pic, so send whenever you’re ready and I’ll enjoy that.