Page 16 of Beautiful Envy

A washer tumbled in the distance, but I couldn’t hear anyone else moving. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out into the hall and looked both ways. It was clear, so I tiptoed down the hallway toward the kitchen.

If I had to eat Chinese again, I would. My stomach wholeheartedly agreed.

To my utter amazement, a plate covered in plastic wrap sat on the counter, a note sitting on top of it.

Darcie,

You better eat, or I’ll sic Lennox on you.

We leave for the shop at 7 tomorrow morning. Inventory. If you’re not out here, I’m leaving you.

-Bubba

I smiled, then stopped myself. While I wanted to push his buttons, under no circumstances was I to fall for the overbearing teddy bear. I wouldn’t allow it.

Placing the plate into the microwave to heat, I grabbed a glass and filled it with water while I waited. Wonderful food smells filled the space, my taste buds rejoicing at the nearness of food. It wasn’t long before it was ready, and I pulled it out, amazed at the food Grayson had made.

It looked like some kind of stir-fry with noodles, vegetables, and chicken. I immediately shoveled it into my mouth as the flavor exploded over my tongue.

“Okay, Grayson has some skills,” I mumbled around the forkful.

I heard a chuckle behind me, but I didn’t stop to see who it was. I was having a love affair with this plate at the moment.

“I’m glad you approve, pretty lady!”

Rolling my eyes at the name, I cleared my plate and turned to him. “While I don’t love the nickname, I do have to give you credit for this meal. Thank you for saving me some. It was incredible. I had no idea you could cook.”

He smirked, moving closer. It didn’t go unnoticed that he was only in a pair of sweatpants and nothing else—gray sweatpants, at that.

I quickly brought my eyes back up, not wanting to fall into the thirst trap laid before me.

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about, Darcie.”

“Fair. I’ve only known you for about an hour.”

“Want to get to know me more?” he asked, brushing my hair over my shoulder.

Tingles ran down my arm as goosebumps erupted. Everything in me wanted to say yes, but I knew I needed to slow play this, or we’d crash and burn before the weekend.

“Hmm, I’ll pass. Thanks for the food.”

I spun on my heels and rinsed my plate, biting my lip the entire time. I desperately wanted to turn around and see his expression, but it only worked if I pretended to be disinterested.

So, despite my yearning, I kept my back to him and walked out of the kitchen toward my room. I could’ve sworn I heard a chuckle, but it was too faint to know for sure.

With my stomach happy, I crawled into bed, hoping to find some peace.

* * *

Sleep did not come. Taking a four-hour nap in the middle of the day really screwed with one’s sleep schedule.

Tossing and turning again, I pulled my phone off the nightstand to check the time, 11:30 pm. It had only been an hour since I’d returned to this room! Groaning, I sat up, knowing what I needed to do. I wouldn’t be able to move forward until it was done.

Climbing out of my bed, I walked to the door and peered out again. The house was quieter, like everyone was asleep now. Taking a deep breath, I moved further down the hallway toward the room I hadn’t been able to search yet.

My hands shook as I lifted them to knock. My knuckles grazed against the wood, barely making a sound. Taking another breath, I calmed myself before striking out a little harder this time.

The sound of someone stirring could be heard deeper into the room, so I stepped back to wait. Footsteps approached, and I sucked in a breath as anxiety exploded in my body.

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