Oddly good.
And after the initial shock of him poking me wore off, I kind of liked it.
The playfulness.
It was a different side of him, and I appreciated it. But I need to put a stop to Lottie’s incessant need to get me to think of JP in another way.
“It was simple. It’s not like some magical spark erupted between us. It was brief and awkward and we didn’t talk about it after. I’m telling you, nothing is going on, so just drop it.”
“Ugh,” she groans. “Why are you ruining my dreams?”
“Your dreams? What on earth do you mean?”
“Brother-brother, sister-sister couples.”
“I feel like you didn’t say that in the right order.”
“You know what I mean,” she huffs. “It would be so cool if, as sisters, we dated brothers.”
“You’re not just dating Huxley, you’re marrying him. Which, by the way, how was the floral meeting?”
“Boring,” she says. “Huxley insists on the best for our wedding and I keep telling him it’s not necessary. He told me today he wants to fly in some Italian designer to make my dress. I told him he was nuts and that I could just go to some boutique here in LA. You should’ve seen the disgusted look on his face. As if the thought of having to shop for my own dress is so far beneath him. The thing is, Kelse, I just want to be married, I don’t care about all the fanfare.”
“But it matters to Huxley, right?”
“Yes,” she drawls. “Which means I should just go along with it. You know, he was never this flashy when we first started our whole relationship farce.”
“Uh, I beg to differ. Do you not remember the designer clothes and expensive lingerie he forced you to wear? People didn’t even see your lingerie, and yet, Huxley insisted you wear what he chose, and nothing cost less than one hundred dollars apiece.”
“Ah, I guess you’re right. Which reminds me, how are you liking those nighttime rompers?”
“Oh my God, Lottie. I love them so much. They’re so comfortable. I brought them with me to sleep in.”
“Wait . . . that’s what you took to sleep in while you’re there?”
“Yeah, why?”
She laughs. “Okay, sure, Kelsey, nothing is going to happen between you and JP.”
“I brought a robe to go over it. Listen, I’m not going to sacrifice my comfort because it may be considered indecent. I don’t plan on walking around in them. I’ll always have a robe on.”
“If you say so. But let me tell you this, you have that date with Derek in a couple of days. If you’re in any way involved with JP, please don’t hurt Derek’s feelings. Ellie would kill me.”
“You know I wouldn’t do that. I’m actually excited about the date. I brought a few dress options for that night. You can help me pick one.”
“Okay, good. Oh, hey, Huxley’s giving me bedroom eyes, so I should probably go.”
“Shocking—you two are going to have sex, what else is new?”
“You sound jealous.”
No, just horny.
“Have fun, sis. Good night.” I hang up the phone and then go to my room to pick up my book, a romcom about three siblings who go back to their hometown to throw an anniversary party for their parents, but then all hell breaks loose when their personalities clash and their love lives are tested. I’ve heard nothing but great things about it.
I head back to the living room. I switch on the light, illuminating the space . . . and the man standing there in nothing but a pair of sweats, a glass of water in his hand.
“Jesus HELL ON EARTH!” I scream as I stumble backwards. “JP,” I huff out. “What the hell are you doing, standing in the dark like that?”
The lightest of smirks pulls at his lips. “Just grabbing some water.” His eyes scan me, taking in my robe and bare legs. “What are you doing?”
“I was going to read out here and enjoy the skyline. God, when did you get home?” I attempt to calm my racing heart as I make my way to the couch.
“About ten minutes ago. Didn’t feel like saying hi to you.”
“Well, aren’t you kind? You were just going to wait around in the dark to scare me?”
“How was I supposed to know you were going to read in here? Seems kind of weird to me if you plan on reading a book while enjoying the skyline because you can’t do both at the same time.”
“Yes, I can,” I say with a tilt of my chin. “Every so often I can look up from my book and enjoy the scenery, and then go back to reading.”