Page 72 of Frat House Fling

“Hi, Hailey.”

Theo appeared in the main room when I was trying to scrub a stain from a sofa cushion. I was pretty sure it had happened at the most recent party.

This was the first time I’d seen Theo since my visit to Ian’s room, and I felt a little self-conscious. Not guilty, exactly, but it was still a bit awkward even after what Naomi had told me.

I hadn’t seen Ian yet, either, but the memory of his hands on me… his tongue in me… that boy had skills. Why was it always the quiet ones?

“Do you always smile from ear-to-ear while you scrub a sofa?”

“Nope, just recently.” I hesitated, not sure if he wanted something. “Do you want me to make you a snack or something?”

“No thanks. I think I’m going to get a quick workout in before dinner.”

Visions of him with his shirt off, tattoos flexing as he lifted weights filled my head.

“Now you’re smiling again.”

I shrugged. “It’s just that kind of day.”

“Good. You need more days like that.” I nodded in whole-hearted agreement as he said goodbye and headed downstairs.

I was on my hands and knees using the vacuum attachment to try to get some stray chips out from under a loveseat when Ian wandered in. These guys sure had a knack for showing up when I was in awkward positions.

“Hi.” My voice was a little shy, so I cleared my throat and tried again. “How’s it going?”

“Good.” His smile was genuine, and his eyes were kind, making what could have been an awkward moment more comfortable. “I was hoping I’d see you here.”

“On the floor?” I asked, and he laughed.

“If that’s what you’re into. Can I ask what you’re doing?”

“There’s a bunch of crap under here, like crumbs and such. I’m trying to clean it so we don’t get bugs.” Oops. I’d saidwe. This wasn’t my home, and I needed to remember that. I’d be moving out in a matter of weeks, but that was too painful to think about—both because I’d miss these guys so much and because I didn’t have anywhere to go.

Ian came over and leaned down, planting a kiss on the top of my head. It was a nice gesture, but after crawling around on the floor trying to clean under things, I sincerely hoped that there were no cobwebs in my hair. Then, to my surprise, Ian moved to the end of the loveseat, squatted down, and then lifted up the front. He pulled it back so that it was balancing on the back legs, and I had ample room to see the gross array of stuff under it.

“Thanks.” I swept quickly, not wanting to make him have to hold it up for longer than he needed to. Then again, he was strong. Very strong. I’d traced my tongue over some of those muscles myself.

When I was done, he set the loveseat down and I got to my feet, brushing myself off.

“Come on,” Ian said, jerking his head in the direction of the kitchen and dining room. “Let’s get something to eat. You look like you could use a break.”

That was exactly what I wanted right now—a break. And a chance to spend time with him.

He got water for himself and a glass of soda with my favorite nugget ice for me. I got us a bowl of popcorn to share, and then, because he was a health nut, I chopped up an apple and some carrots for us.

It felt weird having just two of us in the huge dining room. I couldn’t quite imagine what it would be like here in the fall when all the guys were back. And when I wouldn’t be here.

That spoiled my mood a bit, but Ian still looked happy.

“What are you smiling about?” His smile was contagious.

“I had a really fun encounter with a good friend yesterday.” His smile turned a little devilish, and I blushed.

“By an odd coincidence, I did, too.”

“What are the odds?” He grinned.

“But today, crawling around on the floor and cleaning under the sofa was pretty exciting too.”

---