Chapter 46
I clenched my fists, trying to steady my nerves. Lorraine was kind and understanding–far more than I deserved right now.
“Thanks, I… am really sorry about this.” The rest of my words trailed off as she stepped aside and motioned toward the room.
“Come on in,” she said with a small smile.
Lorraine’s room was spacious, with a big bed that would offer plenty of distance between us. I reassured myself I could handle this. I wouldn’t let things spiral out of control. At least, that was what I told myself. But as soon as we were in the same room, the air felt heavier, and I couldn’t stop fidgeting.
“This bed… is pretty soft,” I said, patting the mattress stiffly.
Lorraine couldn’t help but laugh at my awkwardness.
“Why are you so nervous? Are you afraid I might try something?” she teased, her tone light. She was usually so quiet and sweet. It was the first time I’d ever heard her joke like that.
“No, no way. Y–You’d never…” I stammered, trying to explain myself. Her teasing seemed to loosen the tension, and the awkwardness between us started to fade.
Lorraine glanced toward the bathroom and asked, “Do you want to take a shower?”
“Oh, yeah, sure.” After the long day we had, I was drenched in sweat. I had planned to shower earlier, but Yvonne’s sudden appearance derailed everything.
The bathroom smelled faintly of her body wash a soft, subtle scent that filled the space without being overpowering. I had noticed the same fragrance on Lorraine before, thinking it was perfume, but now, I realized it was just her soap. It was warm and sweet, just like her.
Halfway through my shower, I froze.
“Oh, crap.”
I had forgotten to bring my underwear. I stood there, dripping wet, staring at my reflection in the fogged–up mirror. How could I make such a stupid mistake? Now what? I couldn’t just walk out there–Lorraine would think I’d lost my mind.
But asking her to grab it for me? That seemed even worse.
No matter how I spun it, this was bad. I remembered very clearly that I had packed my underwear. But I forgot everything once Yvonne got back. I groaned and muttered to myself, Come on, Cole, think. You had one job.”
The knock on the bathroom door startled me.
C
