Page 28 of You Chive Me Crazy

Zoe crossed her arms. “I’m talking about the bed.”

“And I’m talking about your head. You’re here to take it easy and get better, remember? Just answer the question. How’s your head at the moment, on a scale of one to ten?”

Zoe blew out a breath. “A three . . . maybe a four. Seriously, I’m fine. I feel much better after eating. I’ve had the slightest bit of a headache for the last hour, but it hasn’t gotten worse, which is good. There. Happy?”

“As a clam,” I said. “Permission to use the bathroom.”

“Not funny,” Zoe said. “But speaking of the bathroom, I like the toilet paper to come over the top. And don’t you dare leave the toilet seat up. The last thing I need is to get up in the middle of the night to sit down and pee, then fall in.”

I smirked. “Don’t give me any ideas.”

Zoe ignored me again, gesturing to the bathroom. “Okay, you can use the bathroom first, since I’m sure I’ll take longer than you to get ready for bed. I’ll use the time to unpack a few things from my suitcase.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I grabbed my toothbrush and pajama bottoms and walked to the bathroom, surprised she had no more rules for me.

I closed the door behind me and froze, staring at the largest Jacuzzi bathtub I had ever seen in my life. I was tempted to use it, but I would have to wait until the next day since Zoe needed to rest. Instead, I went through my nightly routine, changed into my silk shorts, and headed back out.

Zoe was standing there on the other side of the door, looking impatient, holding her toiletries bag and a few other things under her arm.

“What took you so—” She froze, her gaze drifting down to my bare chest, then my abs, then my pajama bottoms, before shooting back up to my eyes. I could see her swallow, then her mouth opened slightly.

Had I actually rendered Zoe Bell speechless?

This monumental moment had to be recorded in history.

I stifled a laugh. “Admiring the decor?”

“Keep dreaming,” Zoe said.

“Isn’t denial the first stage of attraction?” I asked.

“Denial is a river in Egypt,” she muttered, pushing past me.

“Hey—we’re both adults here. There’s no need to—”

She shut the bathroom door before I could finish the sentence.

I chuckled aloud and heard her grumble on the other side of the door. I set my clothes on top of the dresser, then grabbed my Kindle and my phone before sliding between the amazing sheets.

The plan was to read, but I sent Rolando a text message first. My current predicament would make his day.

Actually, it would make his year.

Me:You’ll never guess what happened.

Rolando:You got a tattoo of a spatula on your left butt cheek?

Me:That would be a NO.

Rolando:You’re married.

Me:Okay, I’ll just tell you.

Me:My past has come back to haunt me.

Rolando:Can you be more specific? Do you see dead people?

Me:It’s Zoe. And she’s very much alive.