“It’s a good thing I’m not Clara then, isn’t it?” I barely recognize my own voice. It’s gravelly and intense when all we’re doing is ordering takeout.
She heaves a faux sigh of relief, rocking back on her heels and swiping a hand across her forehead.
“Okay, phew. For a minute there, I thought that I was another friend lighter.”
I drop my phone into my pocket, one hand coming under Billie’s chin.
I want her attention.
I don’t want this moment to end.
My eyes bore deep into hers, holding Billie a prisoner to my unspoken thoughts.
“I want you to know something.”
“What’s that?” Her response is a whisper, tongue peeking out an inch.
“That there aren’t any contingencies on us and our friendship. Whether it’s pizza, hospital appointments, or staying late to help unpack some boxes, I’m always going to be here for you. When you get let down by people, it’s easy to fall into the cynical trap of mistrust, and I don’t want that to happen to you. You’re too much of a good human, and I won’t let you retract into a shell. Moving here was a brave fucking thing to do, and I’m actually in awe. So, even if it takes us until two a.m. to get you all set up and moved in, then that’s how long I’ll stay.”
I drop the hand from under her chin, shoving it back into my pocket.
Fuck, fuck.Fuck.
“Emmett …” Billie begins speaking, but trails off, unsure of what to say next.
My throat runs dry.
I went too far, my hands powered solely by protective instinct and insane levels of attraction toward this girl.
A girl who is also the daughter of my best friend.
A girl who is fourteen years younger than me.
The last girl I should be thinking about getting naked and laying on the empty kitchen counter to our right.
Her lips part, more words ready to tumble from them.
Frustratingly, it isn’t her thoughts that fill my ears next.
“That’s the intercom.” Billie’s eyes fix on her front door, and I turn over my shoulder, pissed at whoever is standing on the other side.
Ineedto know what she was going to say.
I look back at Billie. “Either you have a visitor or that’s the fastest fucking pizza delivery in history.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BILLIE
My eyes lock with Emmett’s, and I point toward the intercom. “I should find out whoever it is at the door.”
I expect him to step aside so I can get past him.
He doesn’t, and the ringing continues. His gaze holding me in place as my pulse thumps in my ears.
After another few seconds, Emmett takes a step back, granting me access to move toward the door.
I take a couple of steps down to the living area, my body on autopilot while my mind reenacts everything that just went down between us.
