Page 94 of Unexpected

“Is anyone here?” I glanced around the space, my footsteps echoing on the Travertine floor. I was drawn toward the living room, where a wall of windows overlooked the pool and the city beyond.

Holy shit.

The views at this place were sick. I stood there a moment, taking them in, when I heard a noise from down the hall. I headed that direction. “Hello?”

Light trickled out from beneath a closed door. There was the sound of water running, and then the door swung open. Caramel-colored hair, sun-kissed skin, and curves for days…curves I was intimately familiar with. She lifted her head, her bronze eyes meeting mine.

“Alexis?”

She froze, her eyes going wide. “What are you doing here?”

“Hunter asked me to come look at a house.” My heart was pounding so hard, I’d be surprised if the neighbors didn’t hear it. “I had…” I swallowed, trying to gather my thoughts. “I didn’t know you were the real estate agent.”

“So, he’s not coming?”

I shook my head. “He’s in New York, but he’ll be back soon. And he wants a bigger place.”

She tilted back her head, showing me the long, delicate line of her neck. I traced it with my eyes, trailing down to her breasts, which looked fucking amazing. Her narrow waist. Her… God, this was awkward. And so incredibly painful.

I didn’t care if Hunter was truly interested in the house or not, there was no way I could stand here—with her.

She swayed on her feet, and I reached out a hand to steady her. “Hey. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she snapped, waving off my concern. As always—pushing me away. Nothing had changed. I didn’t know why I’d expected anything different.

“Maybe I should just go.” I turned for the door.

“No. Wait.” She grabbed my wrist, her small hand encircling my skin, lighting me up.

I closed my eyes and forced myself to take a deep breath in, then blew it out. I hated that she still had such a profound effect on me. That I could be such a fool when it came to this woman.

“I’m sorry. I…I’ve been meaning to call you,” she said.

“Is that so?” I turned back to face her, crossing my arms over my chest.

I couldn’t think straight when she was touching me. But now that I took a moment to look at her, really look at her, I noticed how pale she seemed. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, and she looked as if she was going to be sick.

She closed her eyes and held up one finger, asking me to wait. What was she even doing showing houses when it was obvious she should be in bed?

Despite my anger, my gut twisted with concern. “Can I get you something?” She shook her head. “Here.” I placed my hand on her shoulders and steered her toward the couch. “Sit. I’ll find you some water.”

“There’s a bottle next to my bag.”

“What—no green shake?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Oh god,” she groaned. “Please don’t mention those right now.”

I frowned. For as long as I’d known her, she had one nearly every morning. And she always seemed to enjoy them, or at least, not have quite that reaction to them. I grabbed the water bottle before rushing back to her.

She took a few small sips before setting it on the coffee table. “Thank you.”

“You should be at home, resting.”

“I’m fine,” she said in a breezy tone I didn’t buy. “It’ll pass.”

An awkward silence descended on us, and I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t like to leave things unresolved, not since I’d had cancer. And especially not since what had happened with Sam.

“I’m sorry for punching Cal. I hope he’s okay,” I said, needing closure, if nothing else.