Page 29 of Just Home for the Holidays
Because people think about each other when they’re having a thing.
We’re not having a thing—or even a fling.
Remember number thirteen and don’t get ideas.
She could imagine Hunter grinning as he replied.
But I have the ideas already.
And so do you.
N.B. There is no rule about having ideas.
P.S. Are you naked?
She got tired of typing and called him. “Maybe there should be a rule about ideas,” she said when he answered.
“You just want to take all the fun out of it,” he complained but his voice was light, like he was teasing her and enjoying it. “I’m trying to put the fun back in. You could meet me halfway.”
“How would I do that?”
Hunter’s voice dropped low. “Tell me what you’re wearing.”
Chloe was surprised, then not so much. “You first.”
“Flannel pj bottoms,” he replied immediately. “Nothing else.”
“An old T-shirt,” she said. “Nothing else.”
“Mmm, that is a good answer. Let me think about that a bit. No glasses?”
“I was in bed! No contacts either.”
“Hair loose or in a braid?”
“Braid.”
“Tell me about the room.”
“You first,” she countered, feeling flustered.
“Oh, this is a great apartment. Yvonne and Nick have good taste and the cash to make it just so. It’s a one bedroom on the southeast corner of a great old building. Twelve foot ceilings, easy. It’s on the tenth floor, so I can just barely see the park over the shorter building across the street. Chef’s kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.”
“But you don’t cook.”
“I can still enjoy the eye candy. I feel like I could be on a home decorating show. King size bed, walk-in shower in a great four piece bathroom, fireplace in the corner and a massive flat screen television over it. Big black leather sectional. There’s a wrap-around balcony that must be awesome in the summer, and an amazing stereo system. Hardwood floors, too. I love this place. No doorman, but you get over it.” He dropped his voice low. “I’m starting to wish they never come home. Okay, your turn.”
Chloe surveyed the room. “It’s my bedroom from when I was a teenager. Hideous girl room fantasy.”
“How hideous?”
“White furniture, including a bed with a ruffled canopy. Everything is in shades of pink, but there’s a big window facing west. It has good light. Big closet, mostly empty now, lots of old beloved stuffies, a vanity with a mirror.”
“A visit to your former self?”
“No. I didn’t pick any of it.”
“What about where you live in San Francisco?”
