Page 41 of My Trainer Neighbor
"Why not?I've been having sex in my brother's apartment for weeks."
"That's different."
"How?"
"Because he wasn't about to walk in the door."I turned in his arms."I need to make a good first impression."
"You will.You're incredible, Nicole.Brilliant and successful and you've got your whole life figured out at thirty."
"I quit my job two weeks ago to start a business that might fail spectacularly.I don't have anything figured out."
"You took a risk on something that matters to you.That's more than most people ever do."He kissed me, slow and deep."And for the record, watching you chase what you actually want instead of what you think you should want is the sexiest thing I've ever seen."
The words made my chest ache in the best way."I love you."
"I love you too.Now stop worrying.Justin's going to take one look at you and understand exactly why I turned my whole life upside down."
A knock on the door made us both jump.
"That can't be him," I said."You said forty-five minutes."
"Maybe he caught an earlier connection."Shawn moved toward the door, and I resisted the urge to check my appearance in the mirror again.
When he opened it, a man who looked like a younger, leaner version of Shawn stood in the hallway.Same height, same dark hair, but his was cut military short.Same green eyes, but his were taking in everything with the kind of awareness that came from months in a combat zone.
"Surprise," Justin said, grinning."Caught the earlier flight."
"Jesus, man."Shawn pulled him into a hug, and I saw the relief on both their faces."Welcome home."
"Good to be home."Justin's gaze moved past Shawn to where I was standing awkwardly by the window."And you must be the reason my brother's been texting me about furniture deliveries and asking if I wanted any of his stuff."
"Nicole," I said, moving forward to shake his hand."It's nice to meet you."
"Justin."His handshake was firm but friendly."And I gotta say, Shawn's text about having someone he wanted me to meet did not prepare me for this."
"For what?"I asked nervously.
"For the fact that he's completely gone over you."Justin dropped his duffle bag by the door."I've never seen him look at anyone the way he's looking at you right now."
I glanced at Shawn, who was indeed staring at me with an expression that made my face burn.
"Stop embarrassing her," Shawn said, but he didn't look away.
"Stop being so obvious."Justin moved further into the apartment, taking in the changes."Place looks good.Better than I left it."
"That's all Nicole," Shawn said."She made me actually organize instead of just throwing things in boxes."
"Miracle worker."Justin settled onto the couch."So tell me how this happened.Last I heard, you were housesitting and planning to move on when I got back."
"Plans changed."Shawn sat beside me on the loveseat, his hand finding mine automatically."Met someone worth staying for."
"Obviously."Justin's gaze was assessing but not unkind."Nicole, what do you do?"
"I'm a marketing consultant.Well, trying to be."I forced myself to relax."I just started my own firm two weeks ago.Small business focus."
"Started your own business.That's bold."
"Or stupid.I'm still deciding which."
