Chapter 7
RAVEN
Infuriating man.
The room seemed to shrink, and I couldn’t keep still, every muscle knotted because of that man. I needed some space and time alone. It didn’t even matter where. I just had to get away. From Nash. A homicide scene would not add to the charm of the property.
I stomped out of the room and into the guest bedroom, only to find it filled with boxes, tools, and materials for the renovation. The next room was the bedroom, with Nash’s duffel bag and jacket on the bed.
I ended up in the bathroom with the sink full of flowers. I lowered the lid on the toilet and sank down, my elbows on my knees and head in my hands.
Gah! I hated how I turned into a loathsome shrew whenever he was near.
Yeah, my personality wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But my parents instilled manners and decency in me from an early age, so I knew how to get along with people.
Everyone but Nash.
I lied when I said he was always mean to me. He was actually nice to me when Rowan wasn’t around. But when they were together, they made it their mission to find new ways to torture me. That duplicity always confused me, and I never knew what to expect from Nash.
And now I was trapped with him in this tiny cabin, which seemed to be getting smaller by the second.
The storm continued to rage outside, rattling the windows and pounding on the rooftop. No matter how much I prayed for it to blow over, it didn’t seem like it would be letting up anytime soon. Not that it mattered, since my car refused to start, and it was already getting dark outside. I’d have to find a way out of here tomorrow.
My phone showed one bar, so I sent a message in the family group chat.
Just in case you were wondering, I’m stuck at Gladys’ cabin until the storm blows over.
Dad
Are you OK? Do you have everything you need?
I’m fine. I brought stuff along in case I wanted to stay a couple of days.
Mom
But you’re alone in this big storm.
Rowan
I thought Nash was renovating Gladys’ cabin this week.
Yeah. He’s here too.
Junie
Oooh. This is gonna be good!
We’re both still alive. But the night is young. No promises.
Jasper
My money’s on you, Rave.
Mom
Tillie always says everything happens for a reason. Maybe things are finally coming together.
Don’t talk to me about Tillie. She and I are gonna have words.
Junie
Stranded together during a storm. How romantic!!!
Skye
Finally! Go Rave!
Rowan
What are you two talking about? All they do is fight.
Jasper
This could be the bloodbath of the century.
Storm
I’m here for you, sis. Let me know if you need defense counsel.
Thx, Stormy. Just might need it.
Skye
Men are so dense.
Junie
I second that.
Mom
Keep us posted on how you’re doing, Raven.
As long as I have a phone signal, I will.
Dad
Charge your phone now, in case you lose power.
Yes, yes…
I closed the chat and went to find my charger, grateful for the reminder. I’m notorious for letting my phone die under normal conditions.
What was I thinking putting that message in the family chat? I should’ve just sent it to Mom. Of course, my siblings would give me a hard time—it’s what they do. Rookie mistake. Nash really had me off my game.
As I was plugging my phone in, it buzzed with a new message.
Cass
How’s your getaway with yourself going? Are you head over heels yet?
Not exactly. You won’t believe what happened!
Cass
Don’t tease me. Just spill!
Gladys hired someone to renovate the cabin at the same time.
Cass
Same time as what?
As I’m doing the painting.
Cass
So you’re not alone?
Nope.
Cass
Who? Wait a minute. It’s your favorite tool-belt-wearer, isn’t it? Please tell me I’m right.
…
Cass
OMG!! I can’t believe this!
I can’t either.
Cass
This could be perfect.
So much for my solo retreat.
Cass
No, remember I said you should tell Nash how you feel. Now is your chance!
No way. I can’t take another rejection from him. Especially not when I have no way to escape afterward.
Cass
Good point.
You never know what might happen in such close quarters, though.
Yeah. One of us might die.
Cass
Or you might finally act on your feelings instead of running from them.
Or maybe he will.
Don’t hold your breath.
Cass
Stranger things have happened…
Gotta go, Cass. Give your grandma a hug for me.
Cass
Will do. And don’t forget the journal I gave you. I want every detail! ;)
I thought that was for self reflection.
Cass
Dual purpose. Besides, that was before I knew you’d have something interesting to report. EVERY detail!
No way was I sharing the contents of my journal with anyone, not even Cass. My private thoughts were just that—private.
I set my phone on a windowsill so it could continue to charge while I worked on my sketch.
The bedroom wasn’t big enough for my easel and was a little too dark. I had no choice but to set up out in the main living area. Since Nash was working in the kitchen, I chose a corner of the living room that did not have a view of the kitchen. It didn’t have the best lighting, but I’d sacrifice that for decreased distraction. Especially this kind of distraction.
As I worked, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Cass said. We were in really close quarters. What if something happened between us? Did I want it to?
No. Absolutely not. Like I told Cass, I wasn’t about to let him break my heart again.
Like you’d say no if he wanted to kiss you.
And just like that, I imagined Nash kissing me. My hands roving over his muscular chest and then squeezing his biceps. His dark eyes like a starless night and just as alluring. One of my hands slides up over his shoulder to the back of his head, feeling the softness of his closely shorn hair.
A soft moan escaped from my lips.
“What was that, Tweet?” A deep baritone voice ripped me back to the present.
Oh, man. How could I have gotten so sucked into a daydream about the man, I completely forgot he was here? Get it together, Raven.
“Yeah. What do you want?” I barked. My mom’s voice sounded in my head, chastising me for my rudeness. I shook my head to clear it of the daydream and my mom. What is wrong with me? “Sorry. You caught me deep in thought. What were you asking me?”
“I brought some bottled water in a cooler and wondered if you wanted one.”
“That’d be great. Thanks.”
He handed me a cold bottle, wet with condensation. I opened it up and took a drink. Ahh. Water never tasted so good. As it slid down my throat, I moved the bottle to my cheek and forehead, both flushed with heat.
It really wasn’t that hot inside. The room had cooled from the light breeze coming through the window. The temperature had dropped significantly with the storm. But my warmth had nothing to do with the air temperature.
No! I was giving up men, no matter how hot they made me. I was going to date myself, bring myself flowers, take myself to dinner at fancy restaurants, or have a simple picnic on a hilltop with a picturesque view. I could bring a sketchbook along on all of my dates, and I wouldn’t even complain if I forget to engage in conversation or got so consumed by what I was drawing that I neglected my date. No, I’d be the most accepting and understanding date I’d ever had.
Most importantly, I wouldn’t ever break my own heart, or say kissing myself was a mistake and can’t ever happen again. No kissing, whatsoever, when dating oneself. That’s the downside, I admit, but I’ll just have to live with that.
You’re okay with never being kissed? a rogue voice inside me asked.
Better than having my heart ripped out and crushed.
Nope, not doing that again. No matter how close Nash was, or how good he looked, all hot and sweaty and muscles rippling.
Nope. Not interested.