I inhale, relishing the flutter of her pulse beneath my fingers. “You mean it? If you’re upset, you’ll tell me?”
“Promise.” She stretches up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. “Let’s go.”
I can’t help but catalog her every move as we go downstairs, where her brothers are sitting on the couch, waiting. I worry the party will be too much for her after her near panic attack, but now that the moment has passed, she really does seem to be okay.
Though that doesn’t mean I won’t continue to keep an eye out for her.
I snag the candy I left on the table near the front door, then usher the group out.
The whole way there, the boys watch their sister carefully. I’m not the only one who worries about her.
Next door, the party is already going, so rather than knock, I walk right in.
“Heck yeah,” Laith, who’s standing in the foyer nursing a beer, says. “Give me that.” He snatches the candy bag from my hand and peers inside it. “You always bring the good stuff.”
“Those are for the kids,” I reprimand my friend. “And what’s with the wordheck?”
The two Spidermans head past us and into the family room.
Laith groans, scratching at his scruff. “Thayer might’ve already given me a warning about language. I’m trying to be on my best behavior. My brother’s scary when he wants to be.” His focus drifts from me to Halle, like he’s only just now realized she’s here, and as he looks her up and down, he breaks into a Cheshire smile. “Nice costume. We’d make a great couple.”
I instantly bristle. I’ve never been one prone to violence, but I’ve never wanted to punch someone in the face more. Not even Thayer back in the day.
Halle giggles. Shegiggles.What the fuck?Have I been dropped into an alternate reality?
“I guess we would.”
My stomach fucking drops.
“Dude.” Laith claps my shoulder. “I’m talking about our costumes. Relax. God, your face is priceless.”
I glare at my—now—former best friend.
He tips his beer in Halle’s direction. “He really likes you.”
Halle gives me a soft smile. “That’s okay. I really like him too.”
“Ugh.” Laith groans, head dropped back. “I’m surrounded by couples now. The universe hates me.”
“I’m sure there’s a lucky girl out there just waiting for you,” Halle says, her fingers finding their way to mine.
“Whatever.” Grumbling, Laith holds up his beer. “You guys want a drink?”
“We can get them.” Chin lifted, I look around for any sign of Seda.
“Sure, sure.” He cradles the bag of candy against his chest. “I’m gonna go eat these till I’m sick and cry about my singleness. It’s fine. I’m fine.” With that, he turns and strides toward the back of the house.
“Is he okay?” Halle asks, squeezing my hand. “Should you go talk to him?”
“He’ll be fine.” I squeeze back. “He can be a little dramatic at times.”
Knowing him, he’s probably already digging into a Kit-Kat, having already forgotten his woes.
“Are you sure?” she asks, as I lead her back to the kitchen in search of food and drinks. “He seemed genuinely sad.”
Her concern is sincere and not inappropriate at all. My jealousy, on the other hand, is ridiculous. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll check on him after we get drinks and find Seda.”
“Okay,” she agrees, smiling at me.
