25. Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Jessica

The Hunter prowls the halls like a headless ghost, blending with the darkness and weaving chaos like a spider's web. He waits for his prey, anticipating the screams of pain and terror that will be a constant echo once his work begins…

I pause, my head heating up as I think about what step the Hunter should take next. I am wrapping up the book and it's high time The Hunter is caught and brought to justice.

Just as an idea starts to blossom in my head, a gentle knock stops the flow, creating the beginnings of writer's block.

"What the heck!" I say out loud, frustration tinging my voice. "Who is it?"

I must not have yelled loud enough as the person outside knocks again. "Who the heck is it?" I yell, stalking toward the door. I know I'm being rude, but I've been planning this chapter for weeks. To be interrupted right as I'm getting started overrides any guilt I would normally feel about how I'm responding.

When I yank the door open, the sight of Sean standing outside sucks all the anger out of me and my stomach drops as the weight of our last encounter sinks in. When I see that he's holding a cup of coffee and a bag of red velvet cupcakes from my favorite coffee shop, Espresso Yourself, my heart beats a bit faster. Someone has done his homework.

"Hey." He smiles shyly at me. "How are you?"

I do my best to keep a cool facade but my stomach swoops at his smile. "I'm fine. What are you doing here?" My eyes stray to the cupcakes. It's almost nine a.m., and I haven't eaten anything yet. My stomach picks that moment to growl.

Sean's smile widens. "You can have it if you'll let me come in."

I frown at him. "I'm busy."

"Just a few minutes," he says. When I hesitate he tries again. "A few minutes, Jess. I promise. Please."

I'm still annoyed with him but I need to eat. I yank the cupcakes and coffee out of his hands before stepping back into the house and leaving the door open. Sean strolls in, closing the door behind him.

"How's the writing coming along?"

I turn to him sharply. "Can you please get straight to the point, Sean?" I ask, as I shamelessly take a bite out of one of the red velvet cupcakes, then do my best not to moan at how good it tastes. He's staring at me and it's making my entire body come alive with excitement. "Why did you bring this to me? Can you please stop acting like you care about me?" I ask angrier than intended to cover up my reaction to his presence.

His eyes narrow at me and a frown creases his forehead. "I do care about you. Don't say that," he says softly and I can hear the sincerity in his voice.

That was low of me. I know he cares, but I can't stop myself from being petty because how he cares isn't the way I want him to care about me. I want to be Sean's girlfriend and I want him to feel the same. I walk to the island, trying to slow my heart rate and take another bite of the cupcake before sitting back down to try and finish the chapter.

But that's impossible. There is no way I can concentrate with Sean standing behind me. His scent surrounds me and I can feel the heat of his body like a tangible thing.

"Jess," he starts and my betraying heart stutters as he says my name. "I'm sorry about how I treated you yesterday. I was a complete jerk and it wasn't okay. I was in a mood, and I took it out on you. I know it's not an excuse and I'm hoping a few of your favorite things will make up for it a tiny bit."

His words have more of an effect on me than I let on and I take a sip of my coffee to keep myself from immediately accepting his apology. I let his words sink in. He was a jerk and I am still hurt, but the effort he made with the coffee, cupcake, and apology is a start. I swirl in the chair to look at him.

As my gaze meets his I sigh, "You were very mean to me."

"I know and I am really sorry." Sean walks toward me, stopping only a few steps away. His eyes are full of regret and a look I haven't seen before. Is that uncertainty? Is he really worried that I won't accept his apology? Something inside me snaps when it clicks he truly means what he is saying.

I feel a lightness fill me knowing that our argument bothered him as much as it did me. In that moment I let go of all the anger and frustration I've been holding onto since yesterday, and feel the tension that had been tying knots in my upper back release.

"Jess?" Sean probes. "Say something."

"I'm still thinking." I take another sip of my coffee and put what I hope is a pensive look on my face. A smile splits his face.

"Come on." He steps closer to me and pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. I freeze, suddenly conscious of how that one little touch sends tingles through my entire body. "I'm not going to act grumpy anymore," Sean adds softly. "That's your job. You do it much better than me, so I'll let you handle it."

His words tickle me, and I chuckle. "Fine," I roll my eyes, feeling like a giddy teenager. "I forgive you."

"Yes!" Sean pumps the air with a fist, then slides onto the stool next to me. "So how is the writing coming along?"

"I'm almost done. Just a few chapters left. After leaving Bake My Day yesterday, my agent called me up for a meeting. Apparently, the manuscript needs to be done yesterday. They want it published as soon as possible."

"Oh." Sean nods. "So that's where you went to?"

I stare blankly at him. "What do you mean?"

"After we left Evie's, I thought you went to hang out with Rick," he avoids looking directly into my eyes.

"What?" I laugh, gripping the edges of my seat to stop from falling sideways. "I haven't seen Rick since we went out. He would like to go out again, but I just feel that I need to finish my book before thinking about a relationship."

"Really?" Sean arches his brows. "Does that mean you're open to dating when you finish your book? You already said you're almost done."

I nod my head, but can't stop my glance from dropping down to Sean's lips.

Whoa Jess, stop that right now. Thinking like that is only going to lead to a rejection that will cripple you for a few years. Giving into feelings for Sean can only lead to heartbreak.

I've had more than enough signs to know that Sean doesn't think of me that way. I'd be a fool to read any meaning into the glitter of his blue eyes as he stares at me.

"Jessica?"

I remember the question he asked and quickly nod. "Yes. I think I should date Rick and see how it goes."

"That's cool. Rick is a good man."

"Thank you, Sean." I stretch out one cupcake to him, and he rears back.

"I'm not a fan of red velvet," he says with a short laugh.

"Allergy?"

"No. I had a horrible red velvet cake last year and it ruined that flavor for me forever. But I will happily watch you enjoy it."

"I see. Do you trust me?" I keep the cupcake pointed at his mouth.

Sean stares down at it before glancing at me. "Yes?"

"Just have a taste," I insist. "Please."

Sean takes a deep breath before biting into the cupcake. I watch him chew for a brief second before swallowing. His eyes widen; and he reaches for the rest of it.

"How does it—?" He raises one finger to stop me, and I chuckle, watching his enraptured face as he eats the rest of the red velvet cupcake. When he finishes, he leans against the back of the stool.

"Oh, my goodness. That was heavenly!"

I smile at him feeling like I just introduced him to a whole new experience and am proud of myself. "That was my reaction the first day I tasted it. I couldn't believe what was happening." I take out another cupcake. "Want one more?"

His eyes widen with excitement but he hesitates. "Is that okay? I brought them for you."

"It's okay. Take it."

He takes the cupcake and sinks his teeth into it again. "You may have just created a new obsession for me," he says. "Are you doing anything later?" He asks.

"Nah, just writing. Why?"

"Come play bingo with me."

I turn in my seat until I'm facing Sean. "Did you say bingo?"

Sean nods, licking some of the frosting from the cupcake off his fingers. I freeze and feel my entire body respond to that one action. I shake myself, grateful for his obliviousness to my reaction, Sean wipes his hand across his pants and shrugs.

"Why do you sound shocked?"

"Because you just casually mentioned playing bingo like it's the most normal thing in the world."

Sean laughs. "Bingo is a normal game, isn't it?"

"I mean, yes, but who plays bingo in this day and age, Sean? Except you, that is."

Sean stares at me for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "Ohhhh. I see what's happening here." He shakes his head. "I see it."

"What are you talking about?" I giggle at the teasing look in his eyes.

"You're so competitive, aren't you?" He asks. "You can't play bingo. Because there's a chance you'll lose to me."

I bark out another laugh. "Sean, you know it doesn't matter what game we play. I always win."

He leans forward and holds out his hand in front of me. "Let's test that, shall we? I'll pick you up for bingo later today. Say five?"

My competitive streak is in high gear and there is no way I'm saying no now. I shake his hand. "Deal."

The truth is, I've never played bingo before and I have no idea how to play. But there is no way I will let Sean think he's better than me at anything.

Sean leans back in his stool, and rubs his hands together. "I can't wait to see the great Jessica Stewart lose."

I can't stop the smile that's splitting my face. I hate to admit it, but I'm relieved and happy that Sean and I have made up. The heaviness that had been weighing me down since yesterday is gone, replaced by a lightness. My stomach flutters with excitement at the thought of going out with Sean later.

Okay, maybe it isn't a date. But at least we'll be spending time with each other and I'm looking forward to that more than I want to admit.

Sean gets up suddenly. "Okay, Jess. I'll leave you to concentrate on your work. You'll have enough time to get some work accomplished and be ready by five, right?"

"Plenty." I nod. "Thank you for the coffee and cupcakes. How did you know they were my favorites?"

He winks at me and turns to leave. "I have my ways, Jess." He stops at the door and waves at me before leaving. A cheesy grin crosses my face, and I cover it with my hands. What is wrong with me, for goodness sake? I take another deep breath to regain my composure. This is not a date! It's just two friends hanging out. I recite this several times until it's imprinted in my mind.

When I feel more focused, I open the browser on my laptop and type: How to win at bingo.