74. Hannah

SEVENTY-FOUR

Maddox offered me the use of his shower, and even though I need to head home soon, I couldn't resist.

I know I'll never get a rain head shower in my bathroom at home, but after experiencing Maddox's freaking spa-level bathroom, I'm tempted to tape a hose to my ceiling. That felt like I was a damn fairy showering in the forest.

But alas, I'll just have to settle for showering every time I come over. What a hardship.

Considering I barely wore the outfit I came over in, I've changed back into my shorts and tank top and twisted my damp hair up into a bun.

It's not my best look, but Maddox has made me feel nothing but confident around him, so I don't stress about makeup.

I follow the scent of coffee down to the kitchen and find Maddox at the stove in a different pair of sweats and another T-shirt that clings to his muscles.

He looks up at my entrance. "Have a nice shower?"

I let my shoulders slump and my chin tip up. "Ohmygod, it was amazing."

Maddox smirks. "Glad to hear."

I circle around to stand beside him. "Pancakes?"

He bumps my hip with his own. "Don't get too excited. It's just a mix."

I bump his hip back. "Nothing wrong with that."

Maddox continues to flip and stack pancakes as I pour myself coffee, noticing the half-and-half already on the counter.

It's already been opened, but when I peek inside, it looks completely full. Like maybe he bought it just for me.

Unlike last night, Maddox lets me help with the food. So I warm the maple syrup in the microwave and, at his request, get the peanut butter out of the pantry.

Also unlike last night, we don't go to the amazing library room to eat but rather sit with our plates at the counter.

Maddox makes a stack six high, with layers of peanut butter between each pancake, then he smothers the whole thing with syrup.

He sees me eyeing it and gives me a bite. And that's enough to convince me to add a spoonful of peanut butter to my much shorter pile.

"Speaking of The Count of Monte Cristo," Maddox says, even though we weren't.

I arch a brow. "Yes?"

"I saw that book in your room." He tips his head and looks at me. "Do you have any idea how many late fees I have?"

I laugh as I admit, "I've felt so bad about taking library property. I was this close to mailing it back so many times."

"We can return it after we finish reading it."

I can't help but wonder about his assignment. "Did you get another copy? Or did you pick something else to read?"

"I checked out something else." Maddox shrugs. I hate his answer. "But it ended up sucking, so after I paid the fee for a lost book, I checked out another copy of The Count."

Too much relief comes with his words. "I read my copy too. A couple times." I glance over at him. "Sorry about the fee. I'd offer to pay you back, but I have a feeling you wouldn't let me."

"You don't have to pay me, but the first chance we have, I'm marching you into that library, and we're changing the records so it shows you're the one who lost it, not me."

"Uh-huh, sure."

Maddox takes a bite of pancake. "Do you still have my hoodie too?"

My fork pauses halfway to my mouth.

I forgot about the hoodie.

"What?" he asks, probably seeing the guilt on my features. "You better not have given it to another guy."

I choke on a laugh. "I did not give it to another guy."

"Then what happened to it?" Maddox leans his elbow on the counter.

"I burned it." I pop the piece of pancake into my mouth.

Maddox blinks at me. "You… burned it."

I nod.

"Any particular reason why?" He lifts his brows with the question.

"If you must know…"

Maddox sits up straight, turning back toward his food. "Maybe I don't want to know."

I continue anyway. "You went to some fancy charity event. And pictures from the night were plastered all over, and they showed you with this woman. And she was"— I wave my hand around— "freaking perfect. And it made me hate you a little. So I burned your sweatshirt in a bonfire."

Instead of looking sheepish, Maddox has a smirk on his face while he scoops up another bite of food.

"What?" I narrow my eyes.

"I know exactly what event you're talking about. And, that girl… She was hired to be there." He shoves his food into his mouth.

"Do you seriously think telling me she was an escort makes it any better?"

Maddox immediately starts to cough. "Dammit, Hannah," he laughs, making himself cough more. "She wasn't—"

I pat his back, not wanting him to die over this.

"I meant she was hired by the event to walk around and take pictures," he says, still laughing.

"Oh."

"Yeah, not my escort. And not my girlfriend." He takes a sip of his coffee to clear his throat.

I sigh. "Well, what a waste of a good hoodie, then."

Maddox tries to laugh but ends up coughing one last time and thuds his hand against his chest.

I eye him. "You gonna be okay?"

"Yep, sorry, your attempt to kill me hasn't worked."

"Darn. Guess I'll try jalape?o chips next time."

Maddox turns his head to glare at me. "Did you just compare me to that fucker?"

He's so put out by the suggestion that I have to smother my own laugh. "Obviously I'm joking. You're taller than he is."

Maddox fights a smile. "Cute."

I bat my lashes and take another bite of pancake.

"Seriously though, what's his deal? Has he been like that the whole time you've worked together?"

"Um, like what specifically?"

Maddox taps his fork against his plate. "Like a fucking creep. Following you around and asking you to lunch."

"Oh, that." I roll my eyes. "Yeah. I've never given him any reason to believe I'd be interested. Because I've never been." I answer the question I'm sure Maddox wants to ask. "But he's your typical corporate dick bag. Never taking a hint. Thinking their existence is a gift to women everywhere."

"I'll fire him." Maddox stabs into his pancakes.

I'm happy that's his first reaction, even if it's over the top. "You can't just fire him for no reason."

Maddox grunts instead of answering.