Chapter Eight
Are we having a moment, even if it is a tiny one?
It sure feels like it.
Suddenly, my heart doesn’t hurt.
Like, at all.
And when Shane murmurs, “I hope you’re right,” it evens soars a little.
I haven’t felt this way in a while.
A long while.
But then, as our eyes remain locked, a stupid flash of lightning streaks across the sky, accompanied by a thunderous clap. That breaks whatever magic that was happening between us.
Shane looks away quickly and clears his throat. “Shit,” he says, “sounds like there’s quite a storm brewing.”
See, I was reading too much into it. It’s like he’s forgotten about our “moment” already.
I need to just stop.
The problem is, Shane is just so damn good-looking that I am attracted to him. But like he said, we’re just going to be friends.
That’s it.
Yeah, get that straight, Willa.
Rolling onto my back on the lounger, I recline it slightly and stare up at the sky. Though it’s dark out, there are a lot of visible clouds rolling in.
Finally, I reply, “Yeah, it’s going to rain for sure. Should we stay out here or head inside?”
I look over at him, and he shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m up for staying out a little longer if you are. That breeze does feel nice.”
It does feel good, especially the wind gusts. They’re cutting through the humidity and keeping things comfortable.
I like that he’s adventurous enough to stay outside, storm be damned, so I tell him, “Hey, I’m game. If it starts raining, we can just make a run for it.”
He nods decisively and replies, “That’s the spirit.”
Maybe the lightning and thunder came at just the right time. Things feel back to normal as we resume talking. There are no more “moments” as we chat about my job and his hockey stuff.
It’s just us getting to know each other, as friends.
I could stay out here all night talking to this man. But unfortunately, it does indeed start raining.
Not a downpour, but enough to drive us indoors.
It’s getting late anyway, so we just say our “good nights” and retire to our respective bedrooms.
It was a long day for both of us. It feels like I left Phoenix a week ago, not just early this morning.
In my room, even though I’m tired, I get in some unpacking. I need to feel at home, so to speak. Plus, I hate things hanging over my head. That’s just how I am.
Once I have most of my clothes and belongings in place, I fall back on the bed, exhausted.
Damn, it’s so comfortable I could fall asleep right now.
But then my phone dings, so I sit back up and grab it.
Not surprisingly, it’s a text from Shay.
Shay: Hey, girl. I haven’t heard from you all day. You must really be enjoying your alone time in paradise.
Okay, this day has been eventful, and I need to share with her. However, there is far too much to get her up to speed on with a text, so I decide to call.
She picks up on the first ring. “Finally!” she breathes out. “I was starting to worry about you. You made it there okay, right?”
“I sure did,” I say with a smile as I glance around. “I’m in the house now and sitting in a gorgeous bedroom with sliding glass doors that lead right out to a super-nice infinity pool and, of course, the freaking beach.”
“Damn, girl, I’m jealous,” she replies.
Now to tell her the best part.
“Hey,” I begin, “you are never going to believe who’s staying here with me.”
“Wait.” She sounds confused, then upset as she says, “You’re supposed to be there all alone, Willa. I booked that place for you, and just you, for three solid weeks. Did someone mess up?”
Time to explain.
I sigh, then say, “I know, and yes, in a way, someone messed up. Let’s just say there was a little confusion when I first got here.”
She seems frustrated as she replies, “Oh no, what happened?”
“Well, the guy who rented this place for after I leave got his dates mixed up and arrived early. By the way, check out our joint vacation account balance. There should be money in there. Once we decided that both of us would just stay, he insisted on paying for my weeks.”
“Okay, great, I think,” she says. “Still, I’m completely lost here. Are you telling me you’re cool with staying in a beach house with some strange man? You’re not losing it, Willa, are you?”
I laugh. “No, I’m fine. Besides, this guy is not really a complete stranger, I mean, he is in the sense that I don’t know him personally. Though, that is changing…” Lost in thought, I trail off, then quickly finish up with “Anyway, it’s someone we both know of.”
Huffing, Shay says, “I am so confused right now it’s not even funny. Who in the hell is in that house with you? And how are you all right with him staying? I still just don’t get it.”
I relent and finally share, “It’s freaking Shane Thoma who’s staying with me, girl! He’s the guy who was here when I first arrived. He mixed up the dates of his stay, and, well, here we are.”
“Wait,” she replies, “are you talking about Shane Thoma, the freaking Bears hockey player?”
“I sure am.”
“That’s crazy!”
“I know.”
“Hmmm,” she murmurs, and I can tell the wheels are already turning in her head. “Well, now I certainly understand why you don’t mind staying there with him. He is hot, hot, hot.”
“He sure is,” I agree with a snicker.
“You’re not sleeping in the same room as him, are you?” she asks, mischief in her tone.
Shay is just being Shay, and I tell her, “Stop! Of course not. We each have our own bedroom.”
“For now,” she wisecracks.
I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see me. “Good God. You are too much. Nothing romantic is going to happen with me and the hockey player. The most I expect out of this situation is that we become friends.”
“Hmmm, that would be cool too,” she agrees. “Bet we could get him to score us a few free tickets for some home games next season.”
She does have a point, so I reply, “Yeah, maybe.”
“Still,” she says on a sigh, “it would be amazing if you and Shane Thoma started dating. What a way to rebound from that last jerk. And talk about trading up.”
I laugh and reiterate that he is just going to be a friend at the very most. “So quit being such a dreamer,” I state. “This isn’t a romance novel.”
“But it could be. After all, you are in paradise, stuck in a house with a gorgeous dude.”
I mentally throw up my hands. “Ugh, I give up.”
Falling back on the bed with a huff, I change the subject to our business. She lets me know that things are under control and running smoothly.
“So don’t worry,” she insists. “I have everything covered.”
“I won’t,” I reply with a big yawn. “I know you got it.”
In a soft voice, she says, “Aww, someone is getting sleepy.”
“I am,” I admit.
“You had a long day, Willa. I’ll let you go.”
“Okay,” I murmur as my eyes start to close.
We disconnect, and though the subject of my hot roommate didn’t come up again, he is all that’s on my mind as I begin to drift off.
Why does he have to be so good-looking?
And why is he so sexy?
His usually mussed-up reddish-brown hair really adds to his appeal.
Crap, he even has dimples when he smiles.
What a smile it is too.
Okay, this may not be a romance novel, but I clearly have a little crush.
I just have to remember this is reality and keep it under control.