Page 46 of Rinkmates

I need to go.

“You wanna watch?”

It takes me a second that she wants me to leave andnotwatch her undress. Because—well—yes, ma’am, I’d like to watch.

“Of course not! I’ll call the plumber,” I say, my cheeks turning a bright shade of beet red.

Fuck, that sounded like something out of a porn I’d watch.

As I step out to give her privacy and make the call, I grit my teeth, this bathroom situation is going to be a headache.One problem at a time, Huntington.

The plumber finally arrived,but Liora is still in my bathroom. The first thing she did was call her mom to share what had just happened, and I think it’s really sweet how her mom is always her first call. It’s clear that her mom acts as an anchor for her. When I think about my own mom, I don’t feel any sense of calm.

Next she started blow-drying her hair.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone take so long to dry their hair. It’s like she’s hiking Mount Everest in there. And while I wait for her to finish, I can’t help but laugh at the thought of her barricading herself in there to avoid me. But can I blame her? Nope. Not after that stupid towel attack.

The plumber’s eyes widen as he takes in the state of Liora’s bathroom and lets out a low whistle. “You’re gonna need to replace all the pipes in here,” he says, shaking his head. “And the bedroom carpet is a lost cause.”

I run a hand through my hair, frustration mounting. “How long will it take?”

“The carpet? At least a week.” He shrugs apologetically. “The bathroom? A month, considering the expensive tiles.”

Liora steps out of the bedroom wearing nothing but my oversized jersey and the boxer shorts. The plumber, who’s crouched down trying to sop up water from the flooded bedroom, does a double take when he sees her, his eyes lingering far too long on her bare legs.

I wish I could say I didn’t gulp at the sight of her in my jersey. With my number on her. That big fatHuntingtonon her back. By now I’m used to fighting against my obsession and manage to bark at the plumber, “Hey, eyes up here.”

Then I turn to her and take her hand in mine like it’s the most natural thing to do. “Are you feeling all right, baby?”

Fourteen

LIORA

My jaw drops. I can’t believe Riley just called me baby.

Or, let’s say, I can’t believe what it did to me.

I never considered myself ababykind of person, but I guess now I am, because the minute he says it—my heart does a somersault.

His eyes meet mine, a playful glint in them, and I can’t help but smile. The way he says it, so effortlessly, so naturally, makes me feel a familiar warmth pulsing between my legs. It’s like he’s peeling back another layer of the walls I’ve built even though I’m trying so hard to keep them.

He must have sensed I liked it, because his whiskey eyes narrow down on me and he grins that lopsided, charming grin that always gets to me. “I’m just glad you’re okay,” he adds in a serious tone before leaning in for what I think is a kiss. But at the last second, he hovers just above my lips and mutters, “Play along.”

And then it clicks. Riley, my boyfriend. And the plumber.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I am terrible at spur-of-the-moment situations and I…awkwardly pat his shoulder.

He raises an eyebrow and stifles a laugh. “Did you just, pat me? Have you ever seen people who love each other do this?” His voice is soft, only for me to hear.

“Did you just call me baby?” It’s still all I can think about.

“Yeah. You got a problem with that?”

“What if I say yes?”

He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re out of luck then. Because I kind of like saying it.” He takes my hand, and his lips brush against the back of it. His gaze then falls on the delicate tattoo etched beneath my wrist—a fading reminder of two dates that caused me unimaginable happiness and pain. I had them permanently marked on my skin, a cathartic release from my heartache. May 28 and May 30.

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