Page 70 of Jesse's Girl
“Seriously? You were having dinner with a beautiful woman and spent the whole time thinking about your mom?” Marcus laughs and shakes his head. “Jesus, that’s grim.”
I roll my eyes. “Fuck off. It’s not like that. You know what I mean.”
“I’m just saying?—”
“Just drop it, Marcus. I’m trying to figure some shit out.”
“Alright.” He cuts me a dubious glance.
“Man, I do not miss the dating life,” Kai chimes in, rescuing me.
“I bet not,” I say, grateful he’s steering us away from the topic of my failed date.
“Nadine is amazing.” Kai lifts his paddle, switching sides. “We still go out, don’t get me wrong, but it’s so much easier. No more fucking mind games, worrying about who’s texting first and all that shit.”
“I’m happy for you, man,” I say with a genuine smile. “It sounds… pretty awesome.”
“Yeah. My favorite thing now is just cuddling up with her, a glass of wine, and a movie, then going to bed early.”
“Wow.” I raise my eyebrows and shake my head, cutting my paddle through the shimmering water. “Are we that old now? How long have I been away?”
Kai audibly sighs. “I dunno, man, but it’s comfy as fuck.”
I can’t help but picture what it would feel like to have Ada curled up on the couch beside me, her warm cheek on my chest. That feeling of wanting to get home swells into an urgency I can’t ignore. I forge ahead, but find myself scanning the riverbank for any sign of Marcus’ car. I feel like an impatient kid on a road trip. Are we there yet?
It’s mid-afternoon by the time Marcus drops me back at the apartment.
“Hey,” I call out as I come in the door, kicking off my sandals and dropping my keys next to them.
Why does my stomach feel like it’s in my throat?
“Hey! How was the river?” Ada calls back.
A glow of yellow light spills into the hall from the open bathroom door where she’s getting ready for work.
I walk to the kitchen and fill a glass with water at the faucet.
“Good. Hot,” I shout over my shoulder.
“Hot temperature? Or like,”—Ada comes out of the bathroom as I turn, tugging down the hem of her tight black tank top—“lots of sexual tension?” She starts to laugh but, when she looks up at me, her smile falters.
For a moment, I just stare.
Fuck, she’s gorgeous.
Her full lips are painted bright red, and I can’t tear my gaze from her mouth. I fight the urge to tell her coming home was the best part of my day. And that I want to mess up those perfect red lips.
Speaking of sexual tension…
Finally catching myself, I clear my throat.
“What?” she asks, smoky eyes widening. “Bad joke?”
“No, uh… Hot temperature.” I look at my feet.
Nice move, jackass.
“It’s been roasting lately,” she says. She walks past me to go to the fridge, poking my shoulder as she passes. “You’re already more tanned than this morning.”