Page 120 of Unexpected

I knew he heard the glass shower door open, but he didn’t move his position. I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around him from behind, pressing my front into him. He groaned softly in response and finally lifted his head.

“I was hoping you’d join me,” he said, spinning to face me and then rotating us again so I was directly under the spray.

He gave my hair a slight tug, and I leaned my head back, letting the water drench my hair. Luke’s hands tugged through the tangled strands, carefully combing them out.

“I’m eager to know: what did you think of everyone? I’m sure you have an opinion.”

I laughed and shrugged. “I usually do have an opinion, you’re right about that.”

“So…” he prompted, and I tightened my arms around him as he squeezed a likely way too small amount of shampoo in his hands.

“They were all really nice. They all seem like genuinely good people. I just think it’s cool that y’all have been friends for so long and have managed to stay friends even through everything life has thrown at you.”

He nodded and squirted more shampoo in his hands as I knew he would. I groaned as he massaged my scalp, working the shampoo into my hair and pulling it through the strands. “They are amazing. We’ve all been through a lot, but we’ve supported each other through everything. Not having any blood relatives left, they’re the closest thing to a family that Josh and I have. That’s why when things like Blakely’s outburst happen, we figure it out. Most of the time, when we have arguments, it’s because we give too many fucks about something else.”

Finished with the shampoo, he tipped my head back again and methodically rinsed it out.

The curious part of myself perked up again, wondering more about his parents. But I couldn’t muster the strength to initiate the conversation. I was too relaxed and exhausted to think about tough conversations.

“I can see that. Maybe one day Blakely and I will be friends,” I mused, but really I had no idea.

Luke chuckled and moved on to the conditioner. “Maybe, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

“Trust me, I’m not, but I don’t want to cause issues between all of you.”

He shook his head. “You won’t. Blakely is just the most difficult among us about certain things—especially about Valerie. She’ll come around, I promise.”

I just rolled my eyes but hoped he was right.

“It seemed like you and Amanda got along, though.”

“Yeah, I really like her. We exchanged numbers and she’s supposed to text me sometime this week so we can hang out.”

Rinsing out the conditioner, I was overcome by the feeling of his large, rough hands tenderly stroking my hair and carefully removing all the product. It was taking all of my willpower to pay attention to what he was saying, but his hands were hypnotic and dominated my attention.

“What?” I asked, just catching the end of his sentence. When I opened my eyes, Luke was shaking his head and smoothed his hands down the sides of my neck and over my shoulders.

“I said that if you really want to learn about Amanda, you should go get margaritas. She’s very chatty when she drinks tequila. But I know she’ll love you.”

I threw my head back and laughed. I also enjoyed margaritas, but was it the best idea for a first friend date? “I’m hoping we’ll get along. This is embarrassing to admit, but I don’t have a lot of friends after—” Emotion lodged in my throat unexpectedly, but I pushed it away, trying not to acknowledge it. “Michael really tried to keep me isolated, so I don’t have friends. Stephanie, my work friend, is the only friend I’ve had here, and she’s moving. So, I’m excited to hang out with Amanda. My new neighbor, Lexi, seems nice, too.”

Without a word, Luke gripped under my ass and lifted me with ease, pinning me between the slightly chilled shower wall and his warm, hard chest. His eyes were intently glued to mine and he squeezed my thighs.

“Hazel, they would be stupid to not want to be friends with you. Don’t stress about it. They will love you.”

“How do you know? It’s absolutely possible they won’t.”

It was a legitimate question. But the way Luke watched me, I questioned the validity of it. His lips were set in a stiff line and his jaw ticced slightly. A few drops of water slid down his face as I watched his eyes study my face in detail. His eyes were brimming with something I couldn’t decipher as he said, “I just know they will. Trust me.”

As the words fell from his lips, I thought I began to recognize the look in his eyes. Not as something I had truly seen before, I realized, but something I’d attempted to write about in my book. I’d attempted to explain it, but I couldn’t find the words yet. The look was inexplicable and so was the feeling in my chest.

FORTY-THREE

Hazel

I slumpedinto the booth at the corner of the bright Mexican restaurant, sliding my full shopping bags down to the corner and against the wall. Even the day before Thanksgiving, the restaurant was lively and full of children since they had the week off.

That was also how Amanda was able to spend the afternoon shopping with me. Luke was taking me on our official first date. So, I bought a dress with Amanda’s help.

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