Chapter 5 #2
But then, other memories start to flood back—the way Jace and I grew closer as we got older, how he became more than just Hailey’s older brother to me.
I think about the nights we stayed up late talking on the phone, sharing secrets and dreams. The way he would sneak me out of my house to go for midnight drives, just to talk and be alone together.
There were so many good times—times when I thought we could last forever. But then things started to change, especially when Chloe Yeager came into the scene.
“But I guess it was kind of sweet,” Hailey continues, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I clear my throat. “Sure.”
“You and Jace were so cute together back then. I always thought you two would make it work.”
I sigh, my smile fading a little. “Yeah, well…things didn’t exactly go as planned, did they?”
She squeezes my arm gently. “I’m sorry, Em. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
I shake my head, giving her a small smile. “It’s okay. It’s just…seeing him again after all this time was a bit overwhelming at first.”
Hailey nods sympathetically. “When I told him what Whit did, he wanted to kill him.”
My heart lurches. He did? I almost stop myself from asking. I think about how he tried to warn me off his friends in the elevator. I had immediately assumed he was a jerk, but now talking to Hailey…
I shake my head mentally. Jace is my ex, and he needs to stay there just like Whit. I’ve never been lucky in love, and it’s not like things are going to change overnight.
“He doesn’t always handle his emotions well, but I know he cared about you. He still does, I think. It’s just…complicated.”
“Complicated,” I echo, the word feeling heavy on my tongue. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Ugh, all this planning has got me hungry,” Hailey says as she lays down on the bed. Right on cue, my stomach lets out a small growl. The last time I ate was at the airport.
“Guess I’m hungry, too,” I say, smiling. “Let’s see if we can get something to eat.”
Hailey picks up the phone and dials reception, but after a few rings, she frowns. “No one’s picking up.”
“It’s pretty late,” I say.
“There’s a kitchen on the first floor that’s always open for the guests to use,” Hailey says.
“Say no more. I’ll go down to the kitchen and see what I can find. What do you feel like?”
“How about hot milk and cookies? Remember how we used to have that whenever we crashed together at sleepovers?”
“Of course I remember! You always insisted on dipping the cookies in the milk until they were practically falling apart.”
“Hey, that’s the best way to eat them!” she says with a playful smile.
“Alright, hot milk and cookies it is,” I say, standing up and stretching. “I’ll be back in a bit. Don’t go anywhere.”
As I push open the kitchen door, I stop dead in my tracks.
Standing at the counter, humming softly to himself, is Tanner.
He’s dressed in nothing but a tight black shirt that clings to his chest and arms, highlighting every defined muscle.
His biceps strain against the fabric, and his broad shoulders taper down to a trim waist.
It takes me a moment to remember how to breathe.
A twinge of something sparks in my stomach, an unexpected flutter of arousal that I quickly try to squash down. I shake my head slightly, trying to compose myself as I step further into the room.
Tanner notices me, his humming trailing off as he turns around. A slow smile spreads across his face, and his eyes glint with amusement. “Well, well,” he says, leaning back against the counter, arms crossing over his chest.
“Didn’t expect to see anyone else down here at this hour. What brings you to my humble abode?”
I roll my eyes. “Your humble abode? I thought it was a common area.”
He grins even wider. “Well, it’s after midnight and when the world goes quiet, I like to pretend that there’s nobody else around except me.” His eyes slowly peruse my body. “And that everything around me belongs to me.”
Oh shit. I resist the urge to squeeze my legs together. Despite everything, I’m turned on—extremely turned on right now. I clear my throat, trying to pretend his words and presence doesn’t affect me.
“I, uh…I was just looking for something to eat,” I stammer, glancing down at my borrowed clothes.
Hailey’s sweatpants and oversized hoodie hang loosely on me, and I suddenly wish I had taken more time to make myself presentable.
Not that it should matter, but Tanner’s piercing gaze makes me feel… things.
“Something to eat, huh?” Tanner’s smile widens, and he takes a step closer, his gaze sweeping over me in a way that sends another shiver down my spine. “What a coincidence. I was thinking about making a little midnight snack myself.”
I feel my cheeks flush, and I look away, pretending to be interested in the jar of cookies on the counter. “I was just going to warm up some milk and find some cookies for Hailey,” I mumble, hoping he can’t hear the slight tremor in my voice.
Tanner chuckles softly, the sound low and rumbling in the quiet kitchen.
“Cookies and milk, huh? Classic. You know, I could help you with that. Might even have something better in mind.” He steps closer, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body, his presence filling up the small space between us.
I look up at him, my heart racing.
“What did you have in mind?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Tanner’s smile softens a little, his gaze meeting mine. “How about we raid the fridge and see what we can whip up together? I’ve been told I make a mean grilled cheese. Could be fun.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding in. What did I even expect him to tell me?
My imagination drifts…
His lips crash against mine in a rough, passionate kiss.
His hands are firm on my hips, pulling me closer as he presses his body against mine.
I can feel the heat of him, the hard lines of his chest against me, the way he growls low in his throat as he deepens the kiss.
He doesn’t ask for permission—he just takes.
One hand slides up my back, tangling in my hair, tilting my head back to expose my neck.
His other hand moves lower, gripping my thigh and hitching my leg around his waist, as he pulls me to him and walks over to the counter. He sits me down there, kissing me while his hands slowly travel up to…
“Earth to Emily?” he says. “You with me?”
“Grilled cheese sounds…great.”
He gives me a strange look. “Actually,” he says. “I was wondering if we could have dinner tomorrow night.”
“Dinner?” I repeat, almost as if I’m not sure I heard him right. My heart flutters unexpectedly in my chest.
“Yeah, dinner,” Tanner says. “I figured it would be a better way of impressing you than a cheese sandwich when we’re almost out of cheese.” He holds up the cheese which would barely be enough for one person.
“You don’t have to impress me,” I say, laughing.
“I want to.”
My heart leaps.
“Okay. Yes,” I say, almost bashful. “Let’s have dinner tomorrow.