“It’s—”
“Complicated,” I finished for him.
I knew the reality of those tender spots you didn’t want others to bring into the light, but I’d just opened up to Boden more than I had with anyone in years. It stung that he wasn’t ready to do the same. The urge to retreat was so strong, it battled against my skin.
A moment later, Boden’s face filled my line of vision. “Sorry, I just…”
“It’s okay. You don’t owe me anything.”
Boden frowned. “We don’t get along. We used to be close, but he went down a dark path. Didn’t appreciate all the attention I was getting. The comparisons between us.”
The worst of the sting melted away. “That’s hard.”
“It’s not a picnic in the park.”
The way Boden’s muscles tightened told me the little he’d shared was only the tip of the iceberg. That tension called to me, and I reached out, kneading the flesh along his shoulders. His head fell to my own shoulder, and he sighed. “I’ll only let you do that forever.”
I chuckled. “I do have the magic touch.”
“You could be making millions with those hands.”
“I only use them on very special recipients. They aren’t for sale.”
Boden straightened, but as he did, he came closer. Our faces were close. Lips just a breath away. The urge to lean forward, to know what he felt like, tasted like, was strong. Boden’s hand skated up my arm to my neck to tangle in my hair. He leaned in just a little closer.
Gizmo let out a shrill bark, startling us apart. Boden’s gaze jerked in the dogs’ direction, and his mouth fell open. “Is he trying to hump Peaches?”
I followed his line of sight to Gizmo trying to balance on his wheels and take advantage of poor Peaches. “Gizmo,” I scolded. “You just met her.”
“She doesn’t look like she minds,” Boden said with a laugh.
Peaches cast love-filled eyes at Gizmo as he humped away.
I slid off the chair and attempted to extricate my dog from clamoring all over Boden’s. “Gizmo, this is embarrassing.” I looked up at Boden, cheeks heating. “He’s clearly quite enamored.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up. “He’s not the only one.”
My stomach gave a healthy flip. I wasn’t sure whether the comment was directed at himself or his dog, but I knew that Boden Cavanaugh was more than dangerous. But like a moth to a flame, I kept getting closer.
“That hit the spot. Thank you.”I slid off the chair, my back twinging with the movement. My legs weren’t exactly thrilled, either. The fiery nerve pain licked its way across my flesh and embedded itself there.
Boden followed behind me to the sink with our cups. “I can make frozen pizza with the best of them.”
“That’s about as far as I make it in the kitchen.”
“Damn. I was hoping you were a culinary master.”
I shook my head as I rinsed our plates. “Sorry to disappoint. I make a killer sandwich, though.”
“I’m a great judge of sandwiches.”
I laughed. “Is that a request?”
Boden gave me puppy-dog eyes. “Take pity on me out here, living off frozen meals.”
“All right. I’ll make you a sandwich. And Addie wanted me to invite you to dinner.”
“Who’s Addie?”