And she really, really, really hoped he’d had blue balls.
“It’s just chemistry. It doesn’t mean anything. Clearly I’m not irresistible since he walked away. Besides, I’m sure I’m not the first girl to borrow this shirt,” she muttered before going to stand in front of the mirror over the antique dressing table. Her appearance made her wince.
Whoa, I look rough.
She immediately headed into the ensuite bathroom. She may not be a supermodel, but she had enough female vanity not to want Jackson to see her with dark circles under her eyes and bedhead.
She took a long, leisurely shower, wishing the whole time she could take the five streams of water coming from the fancy showerhead with her when she left. After wrapping herself in one of the plush towels on the rack, she brushed her teeth and carefully untwisted her hair. It fell in long waves down her back. She was thankful she’d bundled her long hair up on her head to keep it from getting wet since she didn’t have her hairdryer.
“With any luck, Raina will call soon otherwise I’ll look like a hot mess before long. I don’t have my hair dryer. I don’t even have enough clothes.”
Oh crap, the clothes.
She hung her head. She’d completely forgotten about the clothes she’d put in the wash yesterday. They’d been sitting for the better part of a day in the machine, so she’d no doubt have to rewash them before she could put them in the dryer.
“I guess getting up earlier has its uses.” She dressed quickly, pulling on her shorts and the same tee shirt she’d slept in, before opening the door. She peered out into the hallway. A grin tugged at the edges of her mouth. It was more than a little ridiculous how she was creeping around. What would she have done even if Jackson was in the hallway? She squared her shoulders and walked to the staircase.
The early morning sun streamed through the expansive windows in the family room, bathing the beige furniture with buttery light. She couldn’t suppress a sigh as she walked through the room and then through the kitchen to get to the laundry room. It was such a beautiful morning that she could almost forget why she was here. It was the kind of day that just begged for coffee outside on the patio with a bowl of fruit and a good book.
She pulled one of her shirts out of the washer and held it under her nose. It didn’t smell moldy or anything and the clothes hadn’t been sitting for that long. She shrugged her shoulders and pulled an armful out and then bent to throw them in the dryer.
“Well, good morning.”
At the sound of the voice behind her Ridley stood up straight, bumping her head on the dryer. “Ouch!”
The clothes in her arms fell to the floor in a scattered heap. She held a hand to her forehead as she turned around.
One of the men she remembered from yesterday stood in the doorway to the laundry room. He looked just like Jackson so she had to assume this was Nick, the rude brother she’d overhead him talking to in the hallway. The two young boys she’d met in Raina’s backyard stood directly behind him watching her curiously.
“I wasn’t expecting you to still be here.” He looked down at her borrowed shirt and Ridley squirmed under his gaze. Despite the fact that she knew nothing had happened, it was still weird to have his brother see her wearing Jackson’s shirt this early in the morning. She tugged the hem a little lower.
“Unfortunately, the locksmith hasn’t called back yet. Your brother was kind enough to let me stay. And to loan me something to wear while my clothes are washing.”
“How did you sleep?”
“Okay, I guess.” Ridley blushed. The way he said it came across more like where did you sleep? She turned her attention to the two boys behind him.
“Did you guys have fun with your uncle?”
“Yes! We played games and ate ice cream. All night!” The oldest boy, Chris, if she remembered correctly, was practically quivering with glee as he said it.
The little one took his thumb out to say “Ice cream!” then immediately stuck it back in his mouth after answering.
Nick smiled ruefully. “That was supposed to be our secret, remember?”
Ridley knelt down so she was more on their level. “That’s okay. I won’t tell. I like ice cream, too.”
“Where’s you mommy?” The little boy asked. Ridley looked up at Nicholas uncertainly. He looked a little stunned.
“Sorry, he’s been really curious about that subject lately. Okay, Jase. Let’s go find your dad.” He tried to herd them back through the door. Jase didn’t move, just stood watching her. Nicholas sighed.
“It’s okay, really.” She moved a little closer to Jase and looked him in the eyes. “I don’t have a mommy, anymore. She’s gone.”
“Our mom’s gone, too. We’ve just got our dad.” Chris said. He looked down at his sneakers, then peeked up at her shyly.
Ridley smiled at him. “But you’ve got a really awesome dad.”
“You look like Miss Raina.” Jase giggled and launched himself into her arms.
Nick looked at her curiously.
She grabbed Jase and pulled him into her lap. “That’s because I am Miss Raina.” She laughed weakly. “I guess I look a little different without my makeup on. Should I take that as an insult?”
Ridley couldn’t resist squeezing his chubby little body. It filled her with a small pang to think that she might not ever get to have children of her own. When she was still young enough, and stupid enough, to believe in fate, she’d always assumed she’d meet the perfect guy eventually. They’d get married, and have the kind of family she’d always longed for.