Page 65 of Rules Of Our Own
Last night, they made perfect sense, and this morning, it’s like a whirlwind in my head. I told them about Jason showing up and how I suspect he’d framed me for his own theft. If they weren’t so eager to get me on that plane, I’m pretty sure they’d have hunted him down.
This has all happened so fast my mind can’t keep up with it.
I sigh out a breath, giving up trying. I peel my eyes open and blink against the soft light filtering through the shades.
River’s room is exactly how I’d expect. It’s cast in muted tones of silvery gray and deep navy blue silk bedding. It’s all smooth lines, no clutter, but with luxurious fabrics warming up the space. It’s somehow both minimal enough to feel standoffish while simultaneously being comfy enough, cocooned in layers of satin, to feel like I belong here. Total River vibes.
I roll over and kick my feet off the side of the bed. There’s a tall mirror propped against the wall that reflects my image back at me. Jesus. My hand flies to my hair, piled messily on top of my head, so greasy it could be mistaken as wet. The fact that I can’t remember the last time I washed it is not a good sign.
At least I’m wearing one of my cuter sleep sets with a lavender button-up long-sleeve shirt and matching shorts. Alex searching through my suitcase and choosing my outfit was quite the experience. I definitely thought he’d go for one of my thin strap mid-thigh sleep dresses and was pleasantly surprised when he’d held out this monochrome set.
A soft knock raps on the door.
“Come in,” I croak and take a sip of the water that someone left on the nightstand. It’s cool on my tongue, so it’s been placed there recently. I’m not sure how I feel about them being here while I’m asleep, but I can’t say I hate it.
“Hey, Kitten. I thought I heard you moving around in here.” Alex leans against the doorframe, resting his head on the hardwood as his gaze travels over me. He has legit reasons to think I’m gross right now, but his eyes soften, and his lips tilt in a smile. “You’re cute, all ruffled like that.”
Meanwhile, there’s nothing cute about the man standing in front of me. He’s already dressed in a pair of straight-leg jeans that hug his thighs and a white T-shirt that’s stretched slightly over his chest. Fuck, he looks good.
I swallow hard, and his eyes darken on mine. For a second, we’re back in Napa, me crying out his name while he makes me come apart.
River stops at the doorway. “Good morning, Mia. Breakfast is almost ready. Why don’t you take a shower, and we can eat together.”
I stiffen at River’s stilted, almost formal tone. None of the low, soothing bass from the night before.
I can practically feel the boundary he’s setting between us, and I’m suddenly not sure of anything.
Alex raises a brow at him, no doubt clueing in to the same vibe I am.
I stand, swallowing down my questions. “Okay. Just need to find my stuff.”
“We put your toiletries in the bathroom, and your suitcase is on the chair by the window.” River gestures to them, then walks out of the room.
My chest squeezes. It’s not that I thought things would be like they were in Napa. Did I even want that? I’d be kidding myself if I said there isn’t a part of me that desperately wanted to lose myself in how they make me feel. But after Jason, the pressure to get more funding for the charity, compounded by losing my job…maybe River’s right to keep a little distance between us. That doesn’t stop my chest from aching.
I need time to sort through everything, to figure out what I want, and that’s if they even want to continue. After all, the deal was one weekend only.
* * *
I twist the towel in my hair and bundle it on top of my head. It feels good to be clean after days of my self-inflicted pity party. Nothing like your ex threatening to break down your door to put life into perspective. A shudder runs through me, and I step out of the bathroom, following the sweet scent of fresh-brewed coffee to the kitchen.
Like his bedroom, River’s condo is all sleek lines, but the deeper color palette gives the entire space a moodier feeling that fights off the space feeling too cold.
Light pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows on my right, highlighting the two men working in the kitchen with their backs to me.
I take a second to admire River in his crisp, fitted oxford that pulls along his back. My throat tightens as his muscles shift under the thin fabric when he flips something in the frying pan.
“You didn’t drown, I see. Feel better?” Alex says, giving me a knowing grin.
Heat floods my cheeks at being caught practically salivating over his friend. “Ah…yeah…good.”
Alex’s gaze travels over my tight black leggings, and he bites the corner of his lips when he recognizes the hoodie he lent me. This would be the perfect time to give it back, but I have no plans to. From the way his eyes darken and how he leans over, gripping the counter, I’d say he’s happy to let me keep it.
“Your breakfast is ready.” River slides a plate across the island, and I sit on one of the stools. My mouth waters. The scent of basil and melted feta fills my nose, mixed with the salt from crisp bacon.
My gaze darts between the guys. “You just had this in your fridge?”
“Riv went to the market this morning. Figured we’d pick you up a few things for your new place.”