He has a big family? I’ll add it to the list of things I didn’t know. I’ve done my best not to stalk his information online, because the web portrays him as this amazing guy. He’s the wounded, recently divorced, rich, gorgeous guy, and women from everywhere are offering to kiss away his pain in ways that makes my head hurt to imagine.
“Well, he’ll be here soon, but we have to get everything out today, so don’t take long. We won’t be able to—”
A knock at the door interrupts me, and I take a deep, steadying breath before wiping my nervous hands on my jeans and moving to answer it. But my overeager daughter beats me to the door and swings it open to reveal Wren Prize in all his glory leaning against the doorjamb.
With his sunglasses on, his inky black hair sweeping his brow, and his easy grin, he looks like every swoon-worthy dream I’ve ever had. His tight T-shirt, frayed jeans, and new tennis shoes make me work hard to breathe.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says to Angel, and I might wobble. Just a little. Even his voice is unsettlingly perfect today.
“Hey, Wren. Come on. You need to see my dolls so you know which ones I need for Christmas. Mommy is making me pack them up soon.”
His laughter wraps around me and teases all my senses, making me really regret doing this. I didn’t want to enjoy how well they interact. What was I thinking?
“Can you give me just a minute to show the guys in and get them started? It might be rude to dump all that on your mom,” he says, keeping his eyes on her and not focusing them on me.
That’s what I wanted, but for some reason… I at least wish he’d acknowledge me.
“Yeah. Sure. Meet me in there. Mommy will show you which one it is.”
He smiles and nods, and she runs off to her room without a backwards glance in my direction. That’s when he pulls off his sunglasses, and those heart-stopping blue eyes find mine. “I brought an army. Hope you’re ready,” he says, grinning, and… yeah… This time I’m forced to wobble noticeably.
He moves quickly, bridging the small gap between us, and his hands move to my waist, steadying me. Oh damn. He shouldn’t be touching me, because it sickens me to know how much I want him to touch me more.
“I’m… fine,” I say hoarsely, making his eyes fill with concern.
“You sure? You should have asked me to come over sooner if you’re already this weak, Allie. I could have gotten this all packed up for you.”
I do feel weak. Just not the way he thinks.
Damn him and his words right now. Really don’t need this confusion, and I hate the way my body is reacting to him. Anatomy and psychology seem to be at war within me.
“I’m fine,” I say again, sounding stronger as I clear my throat.
“Holy hell. There’s like… a bunch of people down there,” Bella says while coming back into the apartment. She left? “And they’re all—” She stops speaking when her eyes land on Wren’s hands that are firmly placed on my hips. Then her grin slowly spreads across her face when her eyes meet mine. “—here, looking for our place. I told them the apartment number, and then I raced up the stairs while they waited on the elevator,” she finishes.
Wren lets go of my hips, and he moves past Bella to the elevator across the hall just as it dings. Bella continues grinning, and I cut my eyes toward her in warning. That wasn’t what it looked like. I don’t think.
Wren laughs in the hallway as loud chatter arises, and I tilt my head curiously, moving closer to see… Holy shit! How did he get this many people to come help him on a Saturday at the last minute?
“Everyone,” he says, motioning toward me, “this is Allie, and that’s her roommate… Bella.”
He points to Bella and then he jogs toward Angel’s room, knocking first to gain her permission before entering. It’s a small act of respect that only pisses me off more, because he keeps rewriting everything I thought I knew.
He sticks his head in the door, and Angel walks out, smiling when she sees all the faces around us.
“And most of you have met Angel a time or two. It’s the only time she’s not bored with me,” he jokes, and Angel laughs loudly, only warming me more.
He’s introduced her to his friends. Why does that make him seem even better?
“There she is,” a strikingly gorgeous woman says on her way to hug my daughter. Um… who the hell is she?
Wren grins at the woman too affectionately, and my jaw works tensely when she picks Angel up and hugs her. Angel hugs her back, but it’s stilted. Obviously this woman is more comfortable than she should be. Angel doesn’t let people in easily.