Page 21 of Rising Heat

Bex

Did you cry?

I glance back at the building. At whatever is waiting on the other side of that front door.

Darcy

Holding it together so far.

Bex

That’s suspiciously hopeful.

Darcy

I’ll call later.

Bex

Fine. But if your hot landlord happens to appear, act normal for at least ten minutes.

I roll my eyes so hard it almost hurts.

As if Bex hasn’t spent the last four nights demanding a full psychological profile on the man.

How tall was he, be serious about it!

Did he smell expensive or just good?

Was he flirting or are you emotionally concussed?

I’d made the mistake of mentioning the smile. And the forearms. Possibly the cheekbones. She’d reacted like I was reporting a UFO sighting, which, in fairness, wasn’t entirely uncalled for.

Tyler MacAllister had smiled at me exactly twice and somehow both of those smiles were still rattling around in my head like they’d too signed a lease.

I have three freelance branding contracts waiting for me, a city I’ve been navigating from coffee shops all week, and a ficus to keep alive.

I do not have time for this.

I tuck my phone into the pocket of my coat and step into the cold.

The wind immediately snakes down my collar. My olive green puffer rustles as I yank it tighter, the faux-fur hood brushing my cheek while drizzle clings to my sleeves and turns the slush at the curb into a slick ribbon of grime.

Hot.

I’m reaching for the hatch when the front door opens.

Tyler steps out onto the stoop dressed for a day at least fifteen degrees warmer than the one we’re currently having. Charcoal Henley. Sleeves shoved up. In February. I don’t know if that’s confidence or a complete disregard for basic survival instincts.

His jeans are faded, his work boots unlaced at the top like he got distracted halfway through putting them on, and the mist has already caught in his hair.

My gaze catches on the forearms and suddenly I’ve never felt so betrayed by my own body.

“Well,” he says, heading down the stoop, voice easy and rough around the edges like he’s been up for hours and only just found something worth saying. “You came back.”

“Legally binding document and all.”

His grin widens.