Ever since Blake called me his mouse, I couldn’t unhear it. It haunted me—in my dreams, my thoughts, everywhere. And the worst part? I’d made it up. It was from one of my old books. High school me had thought the nickname was clever.
Now? Not so much.
“Hey, you okay?” Vaughn’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.
“Huh?” I blinked, realizing I’d been stirring the sauce for five minutes straight.
Vaughn leaned against the counter, watching me with a crooked smile. “You’ve been zoning out. That sauce didn’t offend you, did it?”
“What? No! The sauce is innocent.” I forced a laugh, reaching for the salt. “Just thinking.”
“About?” His hands slid around my waist as he stepped closer, pulling me gently back against him.
I stiffened for a moment, the scent of his cologne pulling me bac
