Falling for the Ghost of You by Nicole Christie Page B

him:  a fresh clean scent and some kind of masculine body wash—a nd lingering above that, the exotic scent of a girl's perfume.  I can't stop staring at his bed, w here he probably just had sex with that Natassia girl.  I blush bright red at the thought.  I don't want to picture Zane having sex.  Um, ew ...right?  Not hot at all.
    Nope.
    "I'm hardly ever home," his voice says from behind me.  "I'm sure we can work out a schedule.  Bathroom's right there."
    “Okay.”
    Cautiously, I check out the bathroom.  It’s really nice, and big.  Double sinks, a glass enclosed shower, and—ooh! 
    “A jetted bathtub!  I’ve always wanted to try one of those!” I exclaim, bending over for a closer inspection.  “Are the jets adjustable?”
    “I believe they are.”
    Why does he sound so amused?  I whip around and study him suspiciously.  He smiles back innocently.
    “My back muscles get stiff sometimes,” I say, just to clarify.  “Having something hot and hard aimed at me would definitely help me loosen up.”
    Zane only grins wider.  “No doubt.”
    Oh, god, what did I just say?!
    “That’s not what—I meant the jets, not you!” I quickly backtrack.  “Not that you would ever aim something hot and hard at me!  I mean—what I was talking about was the jets , not your… not anything on you, that’s for sure! ”
    I’m taking deep gasping breaths right now.  Stop talking, Violet!  Shut up!  I collapse against the edge of the tub, seriously appalled at myself, and shaking with humiliation. 
    “Violet.”
    Zane crouches down in front of me, and pats my knee.  “It’s okay,” he says sympathetically.  “I know what you meant.”
    I glare at him.  “I wasn’t trying to sound like a perv!  It’s your fault, answering the door shirtless, and then the naked girl with the…and then you and her—right in front of me!  Well, no wonder dirty thoughts are in my head.”
    “I’m…sorry?”
    “Thank you.”  I stand up abruptly.  “Okay, well, I’m going to…go.  I’ve got school tomorrow, and it’s…”  I check my phone.  “It’s eight o’ clock.  Way past my bedtime.  So…thanks for letting me stay.  Bye, now.”
    I wouldn’t say I walked, so much as ran out of there. 
    Yeah, no, that went great.  I'm gonna go smother myself with a pillow now.
     
     
    ******
     
     
    Chapter 8
    "Beef and broccoli," Lauren announces, lifting the lid off the pan on the stove.  The entire kitchen is fill ed with the savory aroma of beef and gravy.  She takes a spoon from the drawer, scoops up some of the broth, and hands it to me. 
    I blow on it a little to cool it down, then I take a cautious bite.  "It's good!" I declare.
    I'm eating dinner at Lauren's tonight.  We're babysitting the twins and baby Brianna while her mom works a double shift at the hospital. 
    I love Brianna.  She is the cutest little thing, with her blonde curls and wide gray eyes.  She's so sweet and easygoing, too.  She's teething right now, but only makes soft whimpering noises on my shoulder.  It's so cute.  I can tell by the way she's breathing that she's about to pass out for the night.
    "Rice still isn't done," Lauren announces, checking the pot.  "Should be a few more minutes."
    "Okay," I say.  "I'm going to put Brianna down.  She's out."
    "Oh, can you tell the twins it's time to wash up for dinner?"
    I groan quietly.  "Do I have to?  I s till haven't recovered from the time I caught them French kissing their Aiden Cross posters."
    Lauren laughs, even as she's making a face.  "They were more embarrassed than you were."
    "Yeah, I've never seen that shade of red before on a human face."
    I carefully put the baby down in Lauren's mom's room.  She gives a tiny si gh and rolls over on her side—s o cute!
    I wonder what I would do if Mom ever told me she was pregnant?  I'd be thrilled and horrified at the same time.
    I turn the baby monitor on and grab the other unit from its base so we can