“I should go,” he said, rising to his feet.

Reluctantly unfolding my legs, I stood up too. “Here, I’ll take your cup.”

He handed it to me, and our fingers touched, sending a hot little current buzzing up my arm, which then shot directly between my legs. Immediately—and I swear to God, I have never done this before—I looked at his crotch. His crotch! What the hell was wrong with me?

Quickly I turned around and headed for the kitchen.

“Thanks again for inviting me,” he said, following behind.

“Thanks for coming.” I set our cups in the sink, nervous to turn around and face him because he’d see how flushed I was. Had he seen me looking at his zipper? I tried to make my voice sound normal. “You’ll be here tomorrow night, right?”

“I was planning on it.”

“Good.” Forcing a smile, I turned around and hoped my face wasn’t as red as it felt. “Let me get your coat.” I had to pass him in order to reach the front hall, but I was careful not to brush against him. I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

From the closet, I pulled his wool peacoat from a hanger and while he put it on, I took out the Carhartt I’d borrowed earlier. “Thanks for lending this to me.”

“No problem.” He buttoned his coat. “Don’t let me catch you outside without a coat again. You’re not in California anymore.”

I laughed nervously. “No.”

He pulled his gloves from his pocket and slipped them on, then he took the Carhartt from me, folding it over one arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

For a moment, we just stood there in the darkened hallway. Facing each other. Nearly chest to chest. The house was silent, but my heart was pounding like a jackhammer. I held my breath. Kiss me, I thought heedlessly. I don’t care if I’m ready or not, I just want to be kissed by you tonight. Held by you. Desired by you.

“Mom?” called a voice from the top of the stairs.

Henry and I sprang apart, although we hadn’t even been touching.

I moved to the landing and peered up at Whitney, who looked like a ghost in her white nightgown in the dark. “I’ll be up in a minute, Whit. Everything okay?”

“Yes. I just need some water.”

“I’ll bring you a glass. Go back to bed.”

She disappeared down the hallway, and I turned around to find Henry pulling open the front door.

“Goodnight,” he said, without looking back.

“Night.” I stayed put on the landing.

Only once he’d pulled the door shut behind him could I breathe again. After making sure the door was locked, I leaned back against it.

Holy shit.

Holy. Shit.