Page 136 of Surprisingly Us

“You ready?” Lettie asks.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

CHAPTER 40

Colette

Rhys holds the door open for me but doesn’t make a move toward my building. He’s been unusually quiet since we left Hunter and Sophie’s place.

I’m not ready for the night to end. I want him to kiss me again. To see what might have happened if we hadn’t been interrupted. My body is still tingling with the thought.

He walks me in, up the elevator and to my apartment door, but as soon as I get the door open, he starts backing up.

“Do you want to come in?” I ask.

“No, thanks. I’m tired.”

“Oh, yeah, that makes sense. First babysitting gig can really take it out of you.”

A smile pulls at his lips. “I did have fun tonight, minus the baby vomit.”

Now I’m analyzing if he’s talking about rocking babies to sleep or kissing me. Maybe it’s both. I hope kissing me is somewhere up there with smelling the baby’s heads.

“Me, too.”

He nods, backing away toward the elevator. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay.” I try to not sound too disappointed, then throw out agoodnightjust as he’s getting on the elevator.

Once I’m inside my apartment, I lean against the door, giving him ample time to change his mind so I can fling the door open and rush into his arms.

I’ll give him one more minute. Okay, two minutes tops.

Maxine stares at me from across the room. If cats could give side-eye, that’s what she’d be doing now.

“What? Just because Mo is obsessed with you doesn’t mean you need to gloat.”

Rhys had brought Mo over earlier today to hang out with Maxine while we went for a walk around the park. I wish Mo was still here so Rhys would have had a reason to come in my apartment.

A few minutes later, I push off the front door and make my way to my room. I change into my pajamas, then start to brush my teeth when my phone buzzes on my nightstand.

Rhys:I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I was dying to come into your apartment tonight.

I blink a few times to make sure I’m reading that right. Rhys sending a flirty text isn’t new, but all the other times they had been because we were practicing.

Should I ask if that’s what this is?

Part of me doesn’t want to know. I don’t want to ruin it.

I spit out my toothpaste and rinse before grabbing my phone and hopping into bed. Maxine saunters in and jumps up to join me.

Lettie:I wanted you to.

Rhys:Why?

Lettie:You tell me first.

Rhys:I wanted to kiss you again.

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