Thirty and Single.

Chapter 11.

My phone buzzed violently on the nightstand, yanking me out of a dreamless sleep. I groaned, blindly fumbling for it, one eye barely open. Who the hell was calling me on a Saturday morning?

Corey.

I cleared my throat before answering. "Hey you," I mumbled, still half-asleep.

"Hello, sweetheart! I hope I didn't wake you," he said cheerfully.

Of course, you woke me up.

"I was still in bed," I replied, trying not to sound irritated.

"I'm so sorry. I was just checking in on you. Wanted to wish you a great day."

"Thanks, Corey. You too."

He hung up, and I stared at the ceiling. Sleep was officially ruined. I tossed my covers off with a sigh and got out of bed.

I ended up doing a full-blown cleaning spree—scrubbed the kitchen, did laundry, vacuumed the living room, even rearranged the throw pillows like I was expecting an interior design crew to show up.

I was fresh out of the shower, towel-drying my hair, when I heard a knock on the door. Startled, I threw on a baggy T-shirt and some leggings and rushed to see who it was.

Colton.

He stood there looking like every dream I'd ever had about lazy Saturdays and romance novels, white T-shirt, faded jeans, hair still damp, and the scent of aftershave clinging to the morning air. He was holding a paper bag.

"Hi Colton," I said, my voice a mix of surprise and... something else.

He smiled. God, that smile. "Hi, Green. Can I come in?"

"Yeah, of course." I stepped aside, suddenly all too aware of how casual I looked.

He walked into my kitchen like he'd done it a hundred times and placed the paper bag on the table.

"I got these muffins from that bakery downtown," he said, opening the bag. "Realized I couldn't finish them all by myself. Thought I'd share."

I blinked. He brought me muffins?

"Thank you, Colton." I couldn't stop smiling.

He pulled out a chair for me like a perfect gentleman and then opened the fridge like he lived here. He poured me a glass of milk before sitting down with his own muffin.

"They're so delicious!" I said, already halfway through my second.

He didn't respond just stared at me with that crooked smile of his. I caught him looking and blushed.

"You should let your hair down more often. You look even more beautiful this way," he said, his voice low and genuine.

I nearly choked on my muffin. He thought I was beautiful?

I whispered, "Thank you," unable to hide the blush creeping up my neck.

We ate in a peaceful silence until he broke it with a question that caught me completely off guard.

"So... you and Corey. Is it serious? Is he your boyfriend now?"

I blinked. Why was he asking me about Corey?

"Uh... I've only gone on two dates with him. He's not my boyfriend," I said, reaching for another muffin even though my appetite had just vanished.

"Are you thinking of giving him a chance?"

The way he asked, soft, hesitant, made my heart flutter and ache at the same time.

"I... I don't know," I admitted.