Tyler lets go of his hold on me, takes a step back, and leans against the wall. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m still coming out of one of the worst stomach bugs I’ve ever had or not…but he has no business looking that good. Like an Adonis or a merman who lures you out to sea with his gorgeous looks.
I look around my room, trying to find a way to change the subject. I notice there isn’t any more light streaming in through my window. “What time is it? Did I sleep the whole day?”
“You slept for a few hours. It’s dinner time.” He motions to the door. “Your friends are kind enough to be hosting Evie downstairs.”
“Evie.” My eyes go wide. “I’m sorry, I was so sick that I completely forgot to pick her up from school.”
He shakes his head, smiling.
“What’s funny about forgetting your niece?”
“You didn’t forget her. Alyssa said the first thing you did was make sure that one of them could watch Evie. But even if you hadn’t, your friends would’ve taken care of everything. People have your back, Kelsey.” He puts a hand in his front pocket, making him look even more like a model. “You don’t have to do everything on your own.”
I bite my bottom lip, not wanting to read into the words he’s saying. Idohave to do everything on my own. That’s the only way things will get done. No one else can achieve my dream for me.
My stomach growls again, louder than before, breaking the silence.
Tyler laughs. “Do you want the rest of your sandwich?”
I nod. “The soup too.”
We walk to the kitchen, and Winston follows. He leaves my side the second he sees Evie with my besties, dropping his toy duck and trotting over to her with his tongue lolling. He gives her a big kiss on her cheek while she hugs his neck.
“No dogs at the table, Eves.” Tyler shoots her a stern look.
“Sorry.” She sits back up, keeping her eyes on the dog. “I’ll give you the biggest hug ever when I’m done.” He lays at her feet like he understood everything she said.
I glance at my friends sitting at the kitchen table with Evie, and find their eyes moving back and forth between Tyler and me like a ping-pong match.
I want to tell them there’s nothing to see here. Just my friendly next-door enemy who isn’t really my enemy anymore. Oh, and did I mention that I used him as my personal body pillow in mysick-induced slumber? Yeah…I think silence is the best option here.
I sit on a barstool at the island, not wanting to risk getting Evie or any of my friends sick, while Tyler reheats the leftovers. I devour the food.
He leans his elbows on the counter, smirking at me. “You know what animals are always hungry?”
I shake my head.
“Goats. They eat all day long. Sometimes they even eat things like paper orclothing.” He presses his lips into a firm line like he’s trying to hold it together. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
My friends burst out laughing. Mallory wags her finger at him. “I’m starting to like you. You’re savage, just like me.”
“That’s a high compliment coming from you, Your Savageness.” He bows to Mal like she’s royalty and not just a royal pain in my behind.
Evie giggles. “Do you think we’ll see Snowball again? I can feed him some of the clothes I don’t like anymore.”
“I can honestly say I hope toneversee Snowball again,” I mutter.
Tyler snorts. “Now that you’re feeling better, I should probably get Evie home so she can do her homework and get ready for bed. I also need to deep clean my fridge. There’s this awful smell.” He wrinkles his nose. “I already tried cleaning out the sink and trash can, but I can’t figure out where it’s coming from.”
My stomach drops. I know exactly why his kitchen smells—theSwamp Tushcandle I hid above his fridge with the lid off.
Evie hugs everyone goodbye, and I wave at her. Before Tyler can leave, I follow him toward the door.
“Thanks for taking care of me today,” I say.
The smile he shoots my way looks genuine. “Anytime, Kelsey.”
I rock on my feet. “Since you took care of me, it only seems fair that I save you the trouble of cleaning out your fridge.” He stares at me expectantly. I take a deep breath and continue. “I might’ve done two pranks at the same time. The flamingo lawn ornaments and another one…”
