Page 105 of Some Like It Hot

They both nod. “We do. We all need each other’s numbers.”

I look from one man to the next to the next. They’re going to exchange numbers. So they can keep in touch. About me. I mean, maybe other things too, but I’m the reason they’re including Blake.

That makes me feel… good. Cared for.

“Shower,” Aidan tells me, his voice firm but gentle. “We’ll get food and talk.”

Talk. Right. They’ll help me make a plan. That’s what I need.

I look at them all again. They’re here. Because they were worried. Because they care.

Maybe I don’t need a plan. Or a shower or food.

Maybe I just need them.

Blake turns me and nudges me toward the bathroom door. “Go. You need help washing your hair or anything?”

I look up at him, trying to gauge if he’s being flirty. But I think he’s actually really just asking. I shake my head. “No. I’m just a mess, not injured.”

“I’ll grab you some clean clothes and put them on the counter,” he says, nudging me again.

So I decide to just do this—focus on one thing at a time. Let the guys tell me what the next step is. That alone is a relief, to be honest. To just not have to make big decisions. Just one step at a time.

I take my time in the shower. I just stand under the warm spray for several minutes doing nothing else. I try to quiet my mind.

When I get out, I pull on the sweatpants and hoodie Blake laid out for me. He even added underwear. But no bra. Which is so great. I hate wearing bras at home.

I pull my hair up on top of my head, not bothering to dry it.

I don’t even put moisturizer on.

I do brush my teeth though.

Then I take a breath before heading out to the living room.

If they cleaned up, straightened the room up for me, I will be appreciative. I will not freak out. It’s fine. I’ll find everything again. They don’t know that if I don’t put something away or move something, it makes it ten times harder to find. They’ll have done it to help. I have to remember that and not get frustrated.

But when I step into the living room, it seems nothing has been moved at all.

It’s still a disaster. But I can see where all eight partial dresses are. I know where my sketch pad is. I know where my scissors are.

I breathe out.

Aidan is in the kitchen and I can smell the grilled cheese sandwiches he’s making. My stomach growls and I feel the tension leave my body.

Blake is sitting on the floor, propped up against one section of the wall. Simon is perched on the arm of the couch. Even the cushion that’s usually clear is covered at the moment.

They stop talking when they see me.

Simon comes to his feet. “Better, love?”

I nod and go to him. “Much.”

He pulls me into his arms and hugs me. “Good.”

Over the next hour, we all eat. Blake places an order to have more bread and cheese delivered, since he eats four sandwiches himself. He adds several other things to the order and says, “Don’t be fucking ridiculous,” when I offer to pay him back.

When the order arrives, I’m delighted to find he included ice cream.

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