The scene in front of me took over my brain.


    Never in a million years did I think I’d walk in on Hayden fresh out of the shower.


    He was only wearing a towel, slung low around his waist, leaving his entire chest bare–and not


    much else covered. Just the basics, really.


    Hayden looked just as shocked, a faint blush spreading across his tan skin.


    For a few seconds, we just stood there, staring at each other. Neither of us said a word, neither of


    us moved. It was like the world hadpletely frozen.


    Hayden was the first to snap out of it, retreating back into his room. Only then did I finally manage to


    move, stiff as a board, swallowing hard–twice,


    That’s when I realized my face was burning up.


    Watching him close the door, I figured he was probably getting dressed. And before I could think, I


    blurted, “Hayden, wait! Don’t put anything on yet, just wait for me.”


    The second the words left my mouth, I spun around, but then it hit me–what did I just say?


    I told him not to put on clothes. And to wait for me..


    Technically, the words made sense. But in this situation? What was I thinking? What kind of weird,


    suggestive nonsense had juste out of my mouth?


    If I could disappear into the floor, I totally would.


    But I couldn’t, and it was way toote to take it back. So, I hurried back to my apartment, grabbed


    the clothes I’d bought for him, and went straight to Hayden’s door. Knocking twice, I called out, “I


    got you some clothes. I left them outside the door. They should fit better.”


    No way was I about to exin what I said earlier. That would just make things a million times


    worse.


    I was about to set the bag down when the door suddenly swung open. Hayden stood there, fully


    dressed.


    He wore a crisp white dress shirt and ck cks. No tle, and the top two buttons of his shirt were


    undone, giving him this casual but kind of polished look.


    It was the first time I’d seen him dressed like that. With his tan skin, I’d figured this style wouldn’t


    really work for him. That’s why, when I picked out clothes for him, I’d gone for something more chill


    and casual.


    But looking at him now, I was starting to think maybe my fashion sense was seriously off. He pulled


    off the look effortlessly–like one of those low–key, stylish CEOs.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn’t even notice when his fingers brushed mine as he


    took the bag from my hand. He nced inside at the clothes. “Is this what you wanted me to


    wear?”


    I shook my head. “No, no… you look great just like this,


    Hayden looked into the bag again. “Then I’ll wear what you bought next time.”


    He casually took the clothes and put them away in his closet while I stood awkwardly by the door,


    my


    eyes wandering around his room–or more specifically, his bed.


    The ce wasn’t that big, and the bed pretty much took up most of the room. It was one of those


    things he’d convinced thendlord to buy, and the nket on top was folded so neatly it looked


    military–level perfect.


    Just looking at it made me want to stand at attention and salute.


    Hayden came back after stashing the clothes. “Alright, let’s go.”


    As he walked toward the door, I couldn’t help but ask, “Hayden, do you have OCD or something?”


    “Huh?” He looked confused.


    I pointed at the perfectly folded nket. “You’re not in the army anymore, so why do you still fold


    your nket like that?


    “How much time do you spend doing that every day?


    “Isn’t it, like, a little… unnecessary?”


    “Just a habit,” he said, short and to the point as usual.


    “I think it’s more like an obsession,” I muttered. I mean, habits are one thing, sure. But most habits


    are, like, easy and quick to do.


    Folding a nket into a perfect square every single day? That sounded exhausting. Honestly, I


    kinda wanted to mess it up just to see how he’d react.


    He didn’t even argue. “Maybe so.”


    With that, his eyes flicked to the gift I was holding for Matthew. He reached out. “I’ll carry that.”


    I smiled a little. “It’s fine, I got it.”


    But Hayden reached for it again. “I’m not the kind of guy who lets his girlfriend carry stuff.” His


    fingers brushed mine again, sending this weird, electric buzz through me.


    I quickly let go.


    As we headed out, I couldn’t help but think about how awkward it was when I caught him fresh out


    of the shower, so I blurted, “Why didn’t you close the door all the way when you got home?”