Page 82 of The Mating Game
I stretch under the covers as my mouth opens with a wide yawn, blinking away the lingering sleep from my eyes. I feel mostly okay, even though I overindulged last night, but I could have definitely used another hour of sleep.
It takes a little bit for the events of last night to start bleeding back into my thoughts. Lying in bed, I can start to remember laughter and drinks and slow dancing with big, warm hands at my waist—but I can also remember a very embarrassing failed attempt at a kiss, unfortunately. I definitely don’t think I misread things, given that Hunter had been so obviously flirting with me—because hewasflirting with me, wasn’t he?—so that means I have no idea as to why he would so blatantly turn me down when I attempted to move things along.
There’s a very clichéd warm and fuzzy feeling inside me when I remember him tucking me into bed after bringing me back to my room and even a vague phantom sensation of him touching my cheek that suggests perhaps I wasn’t off base atallabout the flirting.
So what gives?
My window rattles slightly as a howling wind slams against it, breaking me out of my early morning musings, and I sit up in bed and frown when I notice the way the snow is coming down outside. I vaguely remember Hunter saying something about a storm rolling in this weekend, but at the time I thought he’d just been making excuses to get us out of the bar and get his mouth far away from mine. Judging by the size of the snowflakes outside though, I’d say it turns out that part was true.
Which probably explains why it’s a little colder in my room than usual. I shiver when I pull the covers away, hopping out of bed and moving to the closet in search of a hoodie and some thick sweats. It’s then I notice the lone glass of water and tiny tablets that look to be ibuprofen, and I have to bite back a grin, knowing it was most likely Hunter who left them there.
I don’t know what to make of it, the way he takes such care of me, doing so more and more often. In fact, it seems like all hedoeslately is take care of me, and what’s more, he might even enjoy doing it. So why did he turn me down last night after everything we’ve already done?
I settle for grilling him later (maybe, if I can work up the courage), then take the pills and swallow them quickly before resuming my task of finding some sweatpants that don’t leave goose bumps on my legs. I’m shoving my feet through the ankle holes when my phone begins to ring, so I stomp across the room while still trying to pull my sweats up and snatch my phone from the bedside table.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Ms.Covington. This is Alisha with Mr.Cole’s office. Do you have time for me to put you through for a call?”
Nate, I think excitedly.
“Sure,” I tell her quickly. “I have time.”
I hear the line go quiet for only a brief moment before: “Hey, Tess. Did I catch you at a good time?”
“I’m staying in a town with barely ten thousand people in it,” I say dryly. “Literally all the time is a good time.”
I hear Nate laugh on the other end. “Well, maybe this will liven up your day a little. My editor gave me the green light to fly out and do a scoop for the lodge you’re staying at.”
“Shut up.”
“I know. She loved the pictures. Said it reminded her of her favorite Monet painting.”
“Which one?”
“I have no idea, but at least she loves them.”
“Right.” I squeal a little as the realization sets in that some things can still go my way. “This is amazing. When are you flying here?”
“Hmm. What is today…Saturday? I’m showing a winter storm scheduled through the weekend that’s not supposed to break until Tuesday—so let’s say I fly out Wednesday just to be safe? I can probably be there around lunchtime. Do you think you can clean up enough of the main space to get it done?”
We’re nearly finished with the great room, but I’m already compiling a mental note of tiny projects that would make a world of difference.
“We can do it,” I assure him.
“I’ll want to interview the owner…What’s his name?”
“Barrett,” I tell him. “Hunter Barrett.”
“Great. It won’t be too extensive. Just a little history on the lodge and the area and maybe some info on the best times to visit. The standard stuff.”
“That sounds great. This is all so great. I really appreciate you doing this, Nate.”
“Of course. It’s not like I don’t owe you a dozen times over.”
“I’m happy to be able to finally cash in,” I laugh.
“Well, be careful out there. Forecast is showing this storm is gonna be a doozy. Don’t freeze before I get there.”
