“No, I mean sure—you probably are—” Connor scratches his head. “But didn’t I play football against you a few years ago, bro?”
“As in, Seth was a collegiate athlete? No way,” I laugh.
“Actually, he—” Jenny starts.
“Has some books to recommend to Madeline,” Seth cuts in. “So why don’t you show Connor those graphic novels, Jenny?”
“Right…” Jenny’s eyebrow furrows, glancing at me, but she shakes her head and retreats. At least she’s had the decency to leave me alone during this unfortunate episode.
Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I pivot back to Seth, observing the quick bob of his throat and shaking hands. “Why were you just weirder than normal?”
“Was I?” The tips of Seth’s ears burn a crimson red, and he tugs his beanie down over them.
“Not that I care, but yeah. You were. You still are.”
“Forced proximity to you is hazardous to my health.” He shrugs.
I drop my eyes to his footwear. Doc Martens. Of course. The damage my heel could cause ground into his toes would be minimal, but the act itself would be satisfying enough.
A soft laugh from the back of the stacks wafts its way to us. Or I could stomp on someone with flimsier footwear.
My head snaps towards the laughter to find Jenny against the wall, Connor’s forearm resting above her head. He reaches out and touches her arm, and that’s it. Something breaks inside of me. While I’ve operated under a don’t touch Jenny-Code for three years, this is too far. I can’t deal with these two anymore.
With my fists clenched at my side, I storm towards the happy couple.
“Hey there, tiger. Remember your code.” Seth catches my hand, whipping me into another aisle of romance books.
Sparks fly from his contact, shooting up my arm, like even my body’s repulsed by him. I chase the terrible sensation away with a shake. “What code?” I ask since it’s not supposed to be public information.
The lights flicker around us and the stereo playingThe Christmas Waltzglitches, spiraling the same lyrics about Christmas being a time for falling in love, over and over and over.
Seth’s forest green eyes narrow, pinning a stony stare on me. Gold flecks rimming his iris twinkle like a bough of pine wrapped with sparkling white lights.
“It’s been three years, and you’ve never sunken your manicured claws into Jenny, Pookie. I’m not dumb. Either you know nothing you could do to hurt her more than you already have, or even the Ice Queen has limits.”
For the first time in forever, Jenny’s nickname for me punctures my heart, like somehow Seth cracked and shattered everything I’d worked so hard to build up with one six-letter word.
I bury the guilt threatening to bubble to the surface, but the box I’ve kept it locked up in is too small to fit the growing deluge.
“Maybe it’s time to try something new,” I force, nowhere near as confident as usual. I take a step, hoping Seth overlooks the waver in my voice. He blocks my path. “Seth Aarons, I swear, I’m not afraid to claw your eyes out if you don’t move.” I go to push him, and he catches my wrists. My back hits the shelves with force as he pins me against the stack.
Dust explodes off the shelf, and the sweet scent of freshly baked sugar cookies overwhelms my airways. This whole thing is a terrible dream. It has to be.
Warmth curls around me as Seth and my chests press together. My respiration system fails.
“Seth, I’m flattered, but I’m awfully taken.” I bat my eyelashes at him, hoping everything comes out laced with the mockery I intend but can’t seem to supply.
“Retract the claws, and I’ll let go,” he whispers harshly, inches from my lips.
My stomach churns with his proximity and ties itself into a knot.
Another drag of air. Another heaving breath. “Consider them withdrawn.”
“That’s a good girl.” He winks. An odd sensation sparks alive between my thighs at his response. I cough in my recovery.
With widened eyes, he steps back on his heel, rubbing the back of his head.
Light streams in over the bookcase. A halo forms around him. His sharp angles and dimpled chin pop under the natural spotlight.
