I Hated You First: Sworn To Loathe You by Rachel John

Author:Rachel John [John, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-21T04:00:00+00:00

19

___________

Clay

My house was clean, but not so clean it was suspicious. Same with me. I’d showered but decided to forego cologne. I did my hair but left it a little messy. I was in comfortable clothes but not so much that I looked like a slob. It was the same stupid balancing act I’d been doing for years, but I couldn’t be greedy now. Friendship was a good first step for us. Maybe a step towards disaster, but then, what wasn’t when it came to Lauren? It was a relief when she rang the doorbell, and I ran out of time to stress over how tonight might go.

She had her hair up in a messy bun and a snarky T-shirt on that said Hang On, Let Me Overthink This.

Couldn’t have said it better myself. She looked perfect. The exact sort of trouble I liked from head to toe, and it always amazed me that no amount of time could go by where I wouldn’t feel a kick of excitement the moment our eyes met. She gave me a self-conscious smile before pulling it back into her usual look of indifference.

I glanced behind her to see where she parked, and she turned to follow my gaze before fixing me with a stare. “You’re afraid someone’s going to see my truck in your drive, aren’t you? Well, I beat you to it. I parked down the street.”

Neither of us said anything for several seconds. How did we talk about the need to be secret friends, for no one to find out that we liked hanging out together? Heck, we couldn’t even admit to ourselves we both wanted to be here. I didn’t give a rip about cookies. I wanted to see Lauren. But I’d still used cookies as an excuse, for both our sakes.

Lauren brushed past me and threw her bag on the couch before walking into the kitchen and inspecting my cookie-making setup. I had everything out—pans and mixing bowls, utensils, all the ingredients, and aprons.

I grinned when Lauren picked up the matching apron set and held them out. Under a big cookie-shaped heart were the words, Kiss the Cook. I’d come home with the set after a white elephant gift exchange. Lauren had been there, but I didn’t know if she remembered. I was sort of hoping she didn’t so I could freak her out.

Moving closer, I took one out of her hands and slipped it over my head. “I saw these at the store and thought they’d be perfect for tonight.”

She laughed and pushed me away. “Whatever. I remember you getting stuck with these aprons at the work Christmas party two years ago, Clay.”

“Does that mean we can wear them without any pesky assumptions?” I picked up the one she’d put back on the counter and held it out.

Lauren crossed her arms. “I’m okay with a little flour getting on me. And don’t worry about pesky assumptions. There will be no kissing of cooks going on. Don’t worry.”

“Are you sure you don’t need one? I’m a messy baker.

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