"Hey, Alex, you home? I just need—" The words died in her throat. There he was, sprawled on his bed, hand moving rhythmically, phone in the other, frozen mid-motion as his wide eyes met hers. Emily's face flushed crimson in an instant, her mouth falling open in pure shock. She stood rooted to the spot, water bottle slipping from her fingers and thudding softly on the carpet. "Oh my God—Alex!" she finally gasped, slapping a hand over her eyes, but not before the image burned itself into her brain. Her heart pounded wildly, a mix of embarrassment, disbelief, and something inexplicably flustered racing through her as she backed toward the door. "I—I'm sorry! I didn't—forget I was here!"