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“My dad and my grandfather were into construction. There wasn’t anything they couldn’t fix or build. I always wanted to be like that, to know how to do everything.”
“What was your father’s name?”
“Edward.”
I grin. “Let’s name him Edward.”
“The dog?”
I nod proudly. “I think it’s a very regal name for a dog, don’t you think?” Edward barks. “Look, he loves it!”
Bryce husks out a laugh. “Edward Holden the second. Sounds like a king.”
“It’s perfect for him.” I smack a wet kiss to the top of Edward’s head.
“What about your father? You never talk about him.”
I hike a shoulder, and let it fall, focusing on scrubbing Edward’s paw. “I never knew him. Not really.”
“Was he around?”
“Until I was six. He was an addict. Pills, mostly, but Mom said he got into heroine. I had no idea.”
“You were a kid. How could you know?”
“I thought we were a happy, normal family. Then one day, I never saw him again.”
“It’s his loss.”
“Yeah.”
“I mean it.” Bryce’s hand brushes against mine, and he lets it linger there. “I’m glad I know you.”
My pulse races, my heart thumping a rhythm I’ve never heard it play before. Bryce’s intense gaze pins me, rendering me speechless, wiping all thought from my mind.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he says, whispering another confession into the confined space. His hand travels up my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. “I like having you here.” He lifts his hand to cradle my face, his thumb stroking my cheek. “With me.”
I lean into his touch. “Me too.”
“I like talking to you.” His thumb slides over my bottom lip. “I like hearing you talk to me.”
A shaky exhale leaves me, his feathery touch sending shockwaves throughout my body.
“I like you, Charly.”
My eyes land on Bryce’s lush mouth. “I like you too.” I lean closer, needing to quench this insatiable need drawing me in.
But Edward has other plans. He stands abruptly and shakes off, sending water droplets flying around us.
Bryce pushes to his feet, and sets the shower head back on the wall. “We should get him dried off.”
I follow him out of the shower, and hold Edward in place while Bryce towels him off. He doesn’t meet my eyes, and a stoic expression blankets his face. It’s as if we didn’t almost kiss two seconds ago. Then he stands, and leaves the bathroom.
I don’t move until I hear the soft click of his bedroom door.
The sound of him shutting me out.
Bryce
