friendship? Acquaintance? I drop my gaze from his face, and that’s a mistake. I want to ask what made it rough, but I think I’ve already overstepped the boundaries of our. “Ocean said he’d cover for me at work, so I stayed home to sleep.” Straightforward. But he doesn’t slam the door in my face as I think he might. “Why did you stay home if you’re fine?” He blinks at me, a slow sweep of long lashes against high cheekbones, and I have a moment of oh-crap-I’ve-gone-too-far panic. “That cold still hasn’t cleared up?” “What?” He pulls the door open and leans against it, bracing one arm on the frame. “Are you all right?” My voice goes high-pitched, and I wince. He turns away and coughs, and the worry gently gnawing at my insides morphs into a voracious monster. “I was hoping maybe you noticed and got it for me.” “Ev?” His voice cracks. I forgot my walking stick at the cafe.” I feel ridiculous addressing his eye and not even seeing his whole face. I shift my weight again, my leg twinging. “Micah? It’s me, Ev.” Oh God, this sounds so lame. “Yeah?” a hoarse male voice says, and I catch a glimpse of a suspicious blue eye through the opening.

The lock creaks and the door slides open. I lick my lips, my nervousness returning. Just when I’m about to turn and go, I think I hear footsteps and push the paper into the pocket of my jacket. Maybe Rafe made a mistake? Or maybe Micah is not in. I ring the bell again, and when nothing happens, I check the piece of paper.

Red Hot Alphas by Jo Raven