Chapter 29
Daniela
I wake up feeling a million times better.
Yesterday feels like a bad dream, but the one thing that grounded me was the face that looked back at me as I slipped into sleep.
It feels like a faded memory now, the kind where you’re not even sure if it really happened, or if it was all created in your mind.
I know it was real, though.
In the past when I’ve been really sick, I’ve always had to take care of myself, and I have to admit, it was kind of nice having Dex here.
I can’t help but wonder what he did all afternoon, though.
Did he find some entertainment for himself?
Did he get dinner? Did he sit out there all night, just listening to me get sick?
If the last one is true, I feel completely embarrassed. I push it out of my mind. What’s done is done, and there’s no going back now.
I reach my arm out and realize he’s not beside me anymore. Did he go back to the couch?
I grab the water bottle that he left on my nightstand and chug it like it’s the first drink I’ve had in days.
Each gulp fills me with a little more life.
Once I feel steady enough to get out of bed, I make my way to the bathroom.
I’m sure Dex doesn’t expect me to look like a model right now, but a quick cleanup wouldn’t hurt.
Boy, do I need those minutes. I hardly recognize the face looking back at me in the mirror. The smeared makeup, the tangled nest of hair, the dark circles under my eyes…
Yeah. This is a full-shower situation.
I crank on the water and step in, letting the steam fill the room. I scrub everything away—the grime, the exhaustion, and the remnants of yesterday’s hell.
The shower also brings a lot of clarity with it.
I know that I’ve been unfair to Dex. Probably worse than unfair.
I think it’s time I start doing better. I’m sure he doesn’t forgive me for ghosting him and treating him like crap, but he’s given the impression that he’s still willing to be friends, at least .
That might be all that’s left for us now.
Dex has never been casual about relationships, so I doubt there’s a chance for anything more.
Even if that’s what I wanted. The problem is I don’t know what I want.
But I know I can’t deny this attraction, or the fact that I’m getting to know him better, and he’s slowly weaseled his way into my thoughts. It’s getting harder to close him out.
Once I’m out and dressed in something cozy, I finally check my phone, which Dex plugged in last night. Layla’s been checking in, of course. From her messages, it sounds like Dex already filled her in.
I wander through the apartment, searching every room, but he’s nowhere to be found.
When I end my search at the kitchen, I notice a pan on the stove and a loaf of moldy bread on the counter. Pretty sure that wasn’t there yesterday…
I’m just about to call him when I hear the front door open.
Peeking around the corner, I catch sight of Dex stepping through the doorway. He’s still in yesterday’s clothes, sunglasses on, hair tousled in a way only he could make look effortlessly perfect.
He kicks his shoes off upon entry again, like he’s done it a hundred times before.
“Hey,” he says, smiling, surprise in his voice.
“Hey. ”
He holds up a couple of grocery bags and two coffees. “Wasn’t sure if you’d have the stomach to eat, but I got some light stuff from the store. Fruits and things…”
“And coffee?” I ask, my voice far too perky.
“Yeah…but you need to put some food in there first,” he says, holding the coffee away from me with a smirk.
“Dex Farrell, did you just tell me what to do?” I quip, feigning shock.
“I did.” He sets everything on the counter then stands tall and crosses his arms, staring me down like it’s a challenge.
“I kinda like it.”
Surprise flickers across his face, then…a smile.
“Well, don’t get used to it. I’m not looking to get my head bitten off by you.”
I scoff. He’s not wrong, so I let it go.
“You must be feeling a lot better?” His eyebrows are raised in question as he pulls groceries out of the bag.
“Much, much better,” I sigh. “Sorry you had to see that.”
He shakes his head and furrows his brows as if he’s offended by my apology. “Don’t be.”
I glance at the stove, barely holding back a grin. “Did you…attempt something here?”
He nods, biting down on his bottom lip. “Yeppp.” He grumbles.
“You know you can’t cook with moldy bread, right? ”
“You know you should throw moldy bread away, right?”
“You know I’ve been out of town for weeks, right?”
“You knew you were going to be out of town, maybe you should have disposed of it before you left?”
“Maybe,” I concede, fighting a grin. I turn my head away to hide it. I can’t let him know that I enjoy our stubborn banter.
“Anyway,” I say, reaching for a coffee despite his orders. “I appreciate the effort. I know you don’t really cook, so…”
I turn to find him watching me, a lazy smirk playing on his lips, eyes half-lidded.
“I tried.” He lifts his shoulders, still eyeing me.
“Okay, fine. I’ll eat something first.” I set the cup down and look through my options. It’s mostly fruit, some oatmeal, and a couple of random snacks.
“Chocolate chips?” I hold the bag up curiously.
“That’s how you take your pancakes, right? I’m sure that’s probably too heavy right now, but…I got them just in case.”
“You remember that?”
“Yeah.”
“That was like…the first night we met.”
“So? Wasn’t that long ago.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal and looks away, sorting through the contents of another bag .
But it is a big deal. Those silly little chocolate chips just made my heart skip a beat, and he doesn’t even know it.
He glances over and pauses what he’s doing. “So…is that a no for the pancakes? Pick something .”
“Bossy again?” I lift my eyebrows, impressed by his gall.
He turns his head and gives me a stern look, like I’m being an insolent child.
I silently hold up a banana, flashing him a look like he’s an overbearing mother forcing me to eat something healthy. Then I take a seat at a kitchen stool and start peeling it back.
Maybe I moved a little too fast, too soon, because the second I sit, a wave of dizziness hits. I lower my hand to the counter, resting my forehead in my other hand.
“Are you okay?” Dex asks immediately, concern sharpening his tone.
“I’m fine. Just got a bit light-headed.”
“Banana. No coffee,” he orders.
“Yes, boss.”
Dex munches on a ridiculous mix of snacks while he watches me eat every last bite of my banana. Halfway through, I pause and give him a look.
“I’m not going to hide it under the table or anything. You don’t have to monitor me.”
“Maybe I like watching you eat a banana,” he says, winking at me .
I meet his almond-brown eyes and set the banana down. Why can’t I come up with a single sassy comeback right now? I clear my throat.
“I’m done with that. What else do you have over there?”
I should probably take it easy, but my stomach feels so empty it hurts. I eye the rest of the food on the counter.
“Can I have that muffin?”
He unwraps it quickly and hands it to me.
“So…do you feel like you can handle the drive back today?”
“I think so. Do you need to be back soon?”
“Nope. Cleared my schedule for at least today. I can stay longer if needed. No problem.” He peels a banana and leans back. “That’s the beauty of being your own boss.”
“Are you your own boss? Or are your mom and dad the real bosses?”
“No, I am. They’ve got their own properties to worry about, and I’ve got mine. Besides, they’re not as involved as they used to be. Getting older and all that.”
“They were on the seating chart for the wedding, right?” I already know the answer. I saw their names and knew who they were immediately.
“Yep.”
“Cool.”
“Uh-huh. ”
“Well, I think I’ll be fine to make the drive back. As long as you don’t make me sick again with your singing.” I smile sweetly.
“Got it. No singing.” He laughs as he turns around and starts gathering the trash and putting the rest of the food back in the bags—quietly singing a song I don’t recognize.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t hold in the smile spreading across my face once again.
When he’s done, he asks to take a quick shower, so I show him where everything is in the guest bathroom. Then I exit through the connecting bedroom and wait in the kitchen. I hear the shower turn on, and I can’t help but think about how he’s completely naked in there, only a wall between us.
After a moment, I realize that there are probably no towels stocked in there. I somehow forgot that part.
I grab one from my bathroom, then head back toward the guest bathroom.
I’ll just knock quickly and hand it to him.
The bedroom door is still cracked, so I push it open.
Then I come to an abrupt halt.
Dex is out of the bathroom, his back to me, looking through the closet.
He’s dripping wet and stark naked. His bare ass and the curve of his roped, muscular back on full, glistening display .
He hasn’t noticed my presence yet. I turn my head away and clear my throat, holding the towel out toward him.
“I’m so sorry, I—”
“Brought me a towel. Thank you.”
I can’t see him, but I hear the clear amusement in his voice as he takes the towel from my hand.
“Okay. Well, I’ll just be out here.”
“Okay.”
He releases a low, sexy laugh as I exit the room.
The image of him standing there—wet and bare—is now ingrained in my brain.
Damn it.