Every Kiss(7)
And he did.
Unfortunately, those three months of white hot attraction were spent primarily in my bedroom or his, which should’ve been telling of exactly what he saw in me. I pushed him a little to have a real relationship—you know, like actual dates—and I started seeing less of him and rumors started flying about him and another girl. The bastard definitely isn’t boyfriend material. I’m not so sure he’s friend material anymore either, but it made the break a little easier for me to carry out.
“Well, I’m proud of you, Cal. You deserve more than that. You know, there’s going to be a bunch of single guys here tonight. Maybe even someone worth your time.”
“No. Absolutely not. I don’t even want to think about it. Have pity on the first guy that comes up to me because it’s going to take everything I have to not stab him in the balls with one of these stupid little kabob skewers, just for being male.”
She rests her hand over my forearm. “Well, in that case, single girls will be here, too.”
“Please. You know you’re the only one for me.” I raise my eyebrows up and down at her suggestively, making her giggle.
“Oh, but she’s already taken.” Shane appears out of nowhere, startling us both. “Ready to go, baby girl?”
“Go? Where?” I ask Makenna as I head to the sink to wash my hands after wrapping the last platter of veggie kabobs with plastic.
“We have to go pick up the cake. You wanna come?”
“Actually, no. I think I’ll go ahead and get dressed and do my makeup while you’re gone. I have to be prepared. Never know who I’ll meet tonight.”
Makenna smirks. “Thought you were stabbing guys in the balls with skewers.”
Shane involuntarily cringes. “Whoa . . . what’s with all the violence?”
“Most men are douchebags. But you don’t fall into that category just yet. Your ‘boys’ are safe. For now.”
Makenna looks over her shoulder at him. “I’ll explain later.”
Shane points upstairs. “Second room on the left is all yours for the night. I already put your bag in there and your clothes are in the closet. There’s a bathroom that adjoins the first room, but I don’t think anyone will be staying in there tonight.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Makenna pecks me on the cheek. “Your cookie dough is in the fridge. We’ll be back soon.” I hear as the door thuds shut.
It takes me only seconds to have the little bowl pulled out of the fridge and the plastic wrap peeled back, digging in with the first spoon I can find. A large wooden one. For the first time since we came in, I walk around to inspect the house. That’s right, I said house. Not guest house. I was expecting a smallish guest cottage when he first told me about it, but come to find out, this used to be their original house. When Shane was about thirteen, his mom and dad built the new house, saving their old one for frequent guests.
It’s not small by any means, probably about the size of my parents’ house. Downstairs, the open floor plan consists of the modest, newly-renovated kitchen and living room. The cathedral ceilings are covered in a honey colored wood, and the railings from the loft overlooking the room match the ceiling. Simple and understated, yet rich and inviting. It feels very homey.
I also expected the loft area to only house a couple of bedrooms, but I was wrong there, too. There are three. And an office. The bathroom that Shane came out of apparently adjoins the master bedroom. Seeing Makenna’s bag on the sofa by the window, I think it’s safe to assume she’s staying in here with Shane tonight. I walk back out to the main hallway and follow the corridor to the room Shane put my stuff in. It’s a simple space with nothing out of the ordinary, but I’m glad he picked it for me. A gorgeous picture window takes up almost half of the back wall, and a door to the side of it leads to a semi-private balcony, only shared with the empty room next door.
I know where I’m drinking my coffee in the morning. That is, if I’m not hugging a toilet. I’m such a lightweight.
Walking through the bathroom, I peek into the other bedroom, and I can smell cologne. It’s a guy’s room, for sure. Dark wood furniture, dark linens. This must be where Shane stays when he comes home; although, you’d think he’d want to stay in the main house with his family. But I guess that’s another story for another day.
It only takes me half an hour to get ready, but after I step back and admire my handiwork, I realize I do clean up pretty good, if I say so myself. I managed to work my stick-straight hair into flowing waves, and my new slim jeans and do-me red heels make me appear just a little taller, if that’s even possible. My see-through black blouse has a red cami peeking out underneath, which shows just enough cleavage, thanks to my favorite push up bra. Yeah, I wouldn’t mind so much if a guy hit on me a little tonight. I would hate for my good hair day to go completely to waste.