Page 48 of That Friendzone Feeling

“Great,”Walkersays.

Hefocuses on putting the credit card back in his wallet, giving the woman the chance to grab another look at him.Hersmile widens as she watches him slide the damp wallet into his equally damp back pocket, adding a little wriggle to get it to sit properly.

“Comeon.”Heholds his hand out to me. “Let’sget dried out.”

Lookat him.Somewhereinside that gorgeous, generous, loving man is a ten-year-old boy who thinks it’s his fault his parents’ car was hit by a truck that ran a red light.Howdoes anyone learn to let go of a lifetime of that kind of guilt?Idon’t know howIcan help, but whatever’s happened between us, he’s still my friend andIneed to find a way.

Itake his hand, and he pulls me closer, like he’s drawing my heart toward him.

Sideby side, we climb the wide, curved staircase of the old building, which looks like it was once a huge house for a fancy family with servants.

Hedrops a kiss on my temple. “Can’twait to get into a hot shower.Ihope you’ll be joining me.”

Mybody screams yes.Myheart screams yes.Mybrain screams no.

Musteringevery ounce of willpower in me,Ihaul my desperate-to-be-near-him body a couple of inches away, drag my hand that wants to hang onto him for dear life out of his, and cup my mouth asIyawn.

“Thatwhole thing has really taken it out of me.”Ineed to buy myself some thinking time here. “ProbablybestIhave a soak in the tub, then go straight to sleep.Wehave to be sharp forChasetomorrow morning.”

“Abath might be even better than a shower.”Henudges me with his elbow and twitches his eyebrows. “AndI’mall for getting warm and dry and snuggling up for an early night.”

Oh, myGod.Howthe hell amIsupposed to resist this?

Must.Listen.To.Brain.

Weturn left at the top of the stairs and face the hallway with just two rooms on it—his and mine.Mystomach flips.Whycan’t he be on the opposite side of the building?Oron a different floor?Whydoes his warm sleeping body have to spend the night just steps from mine?

Westop in the space between our doors.

Ilook up into his warm, smiling eyes.

Christ, they’re hard to resist.

Butresist,Imust. “IthinkIneed to go to my own room.”

“Weshould probably discuss our plan of action forChasefor tomorrow, though.”He’sobviously searching for an excuse for us to be together. “You’rethe one who saw the site in daylight today.Howabout you come over for a bit once you’re clean and dry and talk me through what you think we should show him and tell him?I’dfind that helpful.”

WhatIdo not find helpful is him being so persuasive.

Ihunt around inside my purse and pull out my room key. “Hedoesn’t get here till ten.Couldwe do it over breakfast?”

Walker’sexpression drops. “Iguess.Sure.”

Everythingin my head goes a bit dizzy.Itake hold of the door handle. “Theselast couple of hours have been…well, alot.”Mylegs wobble.

“Allthe blood’s just drained from your face.”Hisbrow furrows as he takes my arm.Mybody tingles where he touches it. “Areyou okay?”

“I’llbe fine,Ijust need—”Ihave no idea whatIneed.

“Letme come in and run you a bath and take care of you.”Hesqueezes my arm. “I’dreally like to do that.”

“I’mnot sure that’s a good idea.”

“I’vedone it for you before when you’ve been sick.Andyou look like you don’t feel good right now.”

He’sright.Hehas done it.Afew years ago,Ihad the worst flu of my life that flattened me for a week.Hestopped by three times a day to bring me meals, clean up, run me a bath, and tell me how red my nose was.

Buteverything’s changed now.