Stay With Me Read Online Free Page B

seen.
    “Yes, the fearsome Goliath who likes to steal baseball hats and socks.”
    “I was expecting something . . . bigger.”
    Caleb shifts one of the bags so that he’s holding both in one hand, and then he leans down to scratch Goliath’s head. “He’s a good dog. Do you want to pet him?”
    I don’t answer him but mirror Caleb’s position. Goliath jumps up and plants wet dog kisses all over my face. I laugh and wipe my face. “I see what type of dog you are, Goliath. Stealing kisses and all that.”
    Caleb’s face is unreadable when I glance over at him with a huge smile over my face.
    “Let’s head to the kitchen,” he says after a moment. “We can set the bags down there, and then I’ll grab you another shirt.”
    I follow Caleb down the hall with Goliath scampering between us, still jumping up on his hind legs, almost begging to be picked up. It’s tempting. He really is the cutest little dog.
    The kitchen is in the back of the house—it’s of a comfortable size with a somewhat open plan, the family room in plain view. There are huge windows that look out to the backyard with a view of Lake Champlain. Caleb places the bags down on the small island and tosses his empty water bottle into the recycle bin. He heads to the fridge.
    “Can I ask you something?” I ask.
    He nods.
    “This house is part of the college?”
    “Yeah,” he says. “Green College bought this whole row of houses for students.”
    “Oh.”
    “Do you want anything to drink? Eat?”
    I shake my head no.
    “Okay.” He swallows and stands there for a minute. “I’ll just run upstairs and get you something to wear. I’ll be back in a few. Goliath won’t do anything but beg you to pet him.”
    Caleb leaves, and I glance around the kitchen. A newspaper is on the round table, opened to the sports section. A sliding glass door leads out to a deck and nice-sized lawn. I turn back around and head to the fridge, too curious to avoid it any longer. Pictures line the outside of a fridge. I spot Caleb in a few, as well as Nick. There are two other guys in some of the photos—a tall, muscular blond with light blue eyes and an easygoing smile, and a super-ripped guy with lightly shorn dark brown hair and a perpetual scowl in most.
    Goliath gives a pitiful whine at my feet, and I kneel down to run my fingers through his silky fur. “I’m sorry. I’ve been ignoring you. Aren’t you just the cutest little doggie?”
    The dog jumps into my arms and slobbers my face again with kisses. I laugh and scratch behind Goliath’s ears. The dog scrambles down and heads to a corner in the kitchen. He runs back with a squeaky toy in his mouth. I toss the toy down the hall, and Goliath runs after it. We do this a few times until Caleb comes back. I quickly get up and wipe my hands on my pants.
    He’s got an amused look on his face, and he holds up a navy blue tee. “This will be huge on you.”
    “Thank you,” I say. “I’m sure it’ll fit. I like big things.”
    Oh God. Did I just say that ? I can’t even look at Caleb.
    “The bathroom is down the hall.” There’s a trace of laughter in his voice.
    I take the shirt from him and make my escape before I do or say anything more embarrassing. God, I’m better than this. I’m usually so in control and don’t say stupid things like I have with Caleb. I shut the bathroom door behind me and get a good look at myself.
    Oh. My. God.
    I’m a complete mess.
    My hair looks greasy, my face sweaty, and the tea stain on my shirt resembles the shape of South Africa.
    No wonder Caleb kept staring at me.
    I quickly take off my stained shirt and set it on the covered toilet seat. I turn the sink on and wash my hands, face, and splash some water under my armpits before I put on Caleb’s shirt. It’s clean and, as Caleb predicted, huge on me, hitting my mid-thighs. I gather the extra material and tie it in a knot at my waist. Then, I readjust my ponytail and decide to leave my hoodie off.
    I still