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"Yes."
"Mind if I stop by? I could bring the marshmallows and everything else for s’mores, and you could introduce me to the art of, what was that, 'roasting the perfect treat'?"
“You remember me saying that?"
"Yeah, you made an impression on me.”
I hesitated.Oh, what the hell?He was Josh’s best friend. Josh married my sister. We were all practically family. It wouldn’t hurt to get along with Chase.
Really, Hannah? That’s your excuse? Not forty-eight hours ago, you kissed him thinking you probably won’t see him again.
I cleared my throat. “Sure, why not? I need to do a few more things, but then we can roast s’mores.”
"All right, I'll be there in about half an hour.”
"I didn't give you the address."
"I found it on the website."
"Wait a second," I said, my stomach suddenly rumbling. "Where did you even get my number? Josh?"
"No," he said a little too brusquely. "I had your mom’s number. It was in the emergency contact list we got from the wedding planner on Saturday. I spoke to her, and she gave me your number."
"Just like that?"
"She happens to like me."
"I can't imagine why," I teased.
"See you in a bit, Hannah."
"See you."
My heart raced. I was a complete mess. Sniffing under my armpits, I realized how much I stank. I’d applied deodorant twice, but I’d worked up a sweat while cleaning.
As quickly as possible, I transferred the bedsheets and towels from the washer to the dryer and headed upstairs, taking a quick shower. I used my lavender-scented shower gel. After I cleaned up, I used a body cream as well.
All right, that's it.I felt fresh and... well, I couldn't exactly say ready, because I was most definitely not. I realized that I still didn't know exactly why Chase was coming here. I knew the marshmallows were only an excuse, but what the hell? I'd had a rough day. If that handsome man wanted to stop by with marshmallows and make s’mores, I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Lately, I was starting to learn that it was better to simply take things as they came. Most of my plans didn't pan out anyway.
Hearing a knock at the front door, I realized he’d arrived earlier than expected. I hadn't applied makeup, but it didn't matter. This wasn't a date. I had no clue what it actually was, though.
I ran down the stairs, opening the front door. Chase parted his lips, exhaling sharply, and suddenly I became self-conscious. I looked down at my body.Shit!I had a sports bra on under my clothes, and my nipples were poking out. I quickly arranged my wet hair so it completely covered my boobs.
"You're here with marshmallows," I said unnecessarily. His suit was different from the one he’d worn on Friday and fit him even better. It was a darker navy and snug on his body, and he looked like a god in it.
He held up a bag. "And chocolate and graham crackers.”
“That's just what I needed today." I averted my gaze as I motioned for him to step inside.
I led him through the narrow corridor, past the staircase that went to the upper floors. The floorboards squeaked under every step. We passed the small bedroom and the laundry room on our way to the back door. I felt his presence intensely as he walked behind me. He was close enough that I could hear every breath and smell that same scent from the wedding.
"Do you have any guests tonight?"
"No." My shoulders slumped. The reminder of the inn’s lack of reservations was depressing. "A couple checked out today."
"They were here unsupervised?" His voice was sharp.