He walked around the FJ, but let me open the door, and then he let me lean on him until we reached the porch. I jammed the key in the lock and twisted, then pushed. I tossed the keys to the shallow wooden bowl that sat on the entry table.

Zeke shut the door behind him and put his hand in his pocket. “You need anything else?”

I shook my head and pointed at the refrigerator. “There’s ice packs in the freezer.”

“I’ll be fine,” he said. He reached for his phone. I reached to stop him but pulled my hand back the moment my fingers touched his. “You don’t have to go.”

He shrugged. “I can stay for a while … if you want.”

“Stay for the night.”

He only thought about my offer for a few seconds before answering. “Okay, but I’m not sleeping with you.”

I pressed my lips together, trying to stifle another laugh, but failed. “Thanks.”

I grabbed him a small ice pack then escorted him down the hall to the master bedroom. Zeke held the ice to his nose for the second time in as many times as I'd met him.

“Nice place,” Zeke said, glancing around the darkness. The bed was highlighted by the light in the hall. “Is this your…?”

“My bedroom.”

“You want me to sleep in here?” He pointed with his free hand.

“Is that a problem?”

“Nope.” Zeke took a few steps inside.

I fell onto my back on the bed, interlaced my hands on my middle, and stared up at the ceiling. Zeke mimicked my exact movements, except once he was on his back, he crossed his arms behind his head.

Once we both stopped bouncing, Zeke sighed. “Of all the beds I thought I’d end up in tonight, yours did not cross my mind. Not even once.”

“You thought you’d end up in Darby’s, huh?”

“No,” he said with a chuckle.

“Can’t blame you there. She’s beautiful.”

He laughed again. “I said no, Naomi. I was interested, but she’s just a good friend.”

“Mmmhmmm.”

He looked over at me. “Are you jealous?”

“Am I jealous?” Yes. Yes, I am. Fuck.

He relaxed back, unwilling to call me out. “She is beautiful, and she’s sweet too. But she’s had it bad for Trex since they met, so I’m clearly not her type. He’s got that mysterious, rugged, broody thing going. I have a couple of friends like that, and the girls fall all over them. I’d introduce you if they weren’t both already with someone.”

“You want to hook me up with your friends? As in plural?”

“No. I don’t, actually. But gauging by your reaction in the car earlier, I’m guessing you want nothing to do with me.”