Page 10 of Incomplete
I jogged to the bedroom and grabbed a hoodie from my dresser with enough time to answer Boden’s knock.
He offered me a swoony-worthy smile and held a small Amazon box in his hand.
“That was quick.”
“Gotta love the convenience of ordering online. Really comes in handy when I’m on shift and can’t get to the store during normal hours.”
“Come in,” I offered.
He stepped across the threshold, and my senses immediately went into overdrive as I breathed in his freshly showered scent. Something about the mix of his soap and the woodsy scent he was wearing was a euphoric blend that sent tingles of desire down my spine.
“Sorry if I interrupted something. I wasn’t sure if you had company.”
“No, no company,” I rushed out with an unsteady voice that made me realize my nerves were on full display.
Silence hung heavy between us as I’d gone ahead and made things awkward.
“Ah, this shouldn’t take me long. I’ll get to work and then get out of your hair.”
“Right, of course. You probably have somewhere else to be.”
Boden eyed me curiously as my cheeks reddened from my inappropriate assumption. My eyes dropped to his lips as they parted with what was surely a reply sitting on the cusp. Before he could offer up a sliver of insight into his social status, I chastised myself for probing into his life and darted into the kitchen to avoid further embarrassment.
With a deep inhale and exhale, I poured myself a glass of wine, threw back half of it, and attempted to collect my wits. I didn’t recognize the woman I’d become. I was uncomfortable in my skin, constantly overanalyzing my every move versus the confident woman I used to be. I’d come to Sutton River seeking solitude, wanting to separate myself from my old life and find my purpose. Create the life I wanted free from drama, lies, and manipulation, but the shameful truth was, starting over was terrifying and a mental hurdle I needed to conquer first.
I could hear Boden working away in the bathroom just from the sound of the tools he was using, so I knew it was safe to stop hiding out in the kitchen like a coward who had lost her manners.
I moved into the dining room and sat at the table with the puzzle I’d started a few days ago. Puzzles were a way to shift my focus, a reprieve from my wandering thoughts, a metaphor proving that sometimes one piece is all you need to see the big picture clearer. What that picture was, remained to be seen as I was currently grieving not only my sister but my past life and trying to sturdy my legs on this new path I was forging.
“All right, I’m all finished up. The tub is safe for use again,” Boden announced, pulling me from my thoughts as he re-entered the main living space.
“That was quick.” My brows lifted in question.
He jammed his hands in the front pockets of his gym shorts and shifted his footing. “Well, when you’re as good as I am—”
“If that were true, I don’t think it would have broken in the first place.”
Oh my God, why was I being so snarky?
“You like busting my chops, don’t you?”
“Not something you’re used to, I presume?”
And yet apparently, I couldn’t stop myself.
“Only from my sister,” he said, and I double-blinked, dismissing the flicker of sadness threatening to ruin the moment.
“Older or younger?” I pried.
“Younger.”
I nodded in understanding as Boden pulled out the chair beside me and took a seat, leaning forward with his forearms resting across his thighs and looking down at the ground. “In answer to your earlier question . . . I don’t have plans this evening, but say I planned to head into town and maybe grab a late bite to eat—” He lifted his chin and met my eyes. “Would you be interested in joining me?”
The ease I felt in Boden’s presence filled my chest with promise, but the risk of going out in public far outweighed the reward and was why I had no choice but to whisper, “I can’t.”
“I understand. I shouldn’t have asked. You made it clear you aren’t looking for friendship. I just wondered if maybe . . .” He left his unfinished thought hanging in the air and instead moved to stand, causing me to reach out instinctively.
“Boden, wait, I—”
