“What, no teasing me about my milk?”
His lips lifted into a smirk. “I think I’ve just gotten used to it.”
Why did that almost make me feel sad? Was he just saying that because he was handling me with kid gloves since I’d been injured? I didn’t want anything to change between us. I liked who we were. Our friendship. Our banter. Hopefully the accident didn’t cause a permanent barrier between us.
As we ate our food, I stole a glance over at him a few times. He may never admit it—guy code or whatever—but based on how much he smiled and chuckled throughout the film, I was pretty sure he secretly liked these types of movies.
Finished eating, we relaxed back against the cushions. There were only thirty minutes left in the movie, and I was stifling my third yawn. Considering my unintentional short nap before dinner, I was surprised to find myself so tired again. But concussions could make a person tire easily. This was the first long period of screen time I’d had since the accident, which could be adding to it.
I laid my head back and closed my eyes, just letting them rest for a minute…
ADAM
I chuckled at the male character in the movie. He was so oblivious to his feelings for the girl. Was that how dumb I’d been with Lyla? The thought that maybe I’d missed my chance, and that my plan wasn’t going to work, sat heavy in my gut.
I glanced over at Lyla. Her eyes were closed, and I couldn’t tell if she was asleep or not. But five minutes later, when she shifted and leaned closer to me, I placed my arm around her shoulders, letting her head come to rest in the crook of my arm.
I held her, savoring the moment for as long as I could. The movie ended, and I stayed frozen in place, afraid if I moved, she’d wake up.
She shifted, nuzzling further into my side, and let out a sigh of satisfaction.
With a smile, I laid my head back. I was aware of her every breath, the weight of her head against my body. Breathing her in, every fiber in my being relaxed. Damn, this felt incredible. So right. This was how I wanted to spend every evening with her. I just hoped she felt the same.
I sensed the moment she lifted her head, and I looked down as her eyes lifted to my face. Instead of pulling away like I usually did, I leaned into the moment, holding her gaze. Tracking the movement of her tongue as it licked along her bottom lip, my body came alive with need, and desire stared back at me.
God. I wanted so badly to kiss her. But I had to rememberI was subtly showing her little moments between us. If I moved things too fast, it could ruin it all.
Her breath hitched, and then she was pushing off me, sitting up as her cheeks flushed.
“I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “I fell asleep on you.”
I smirked, but I wasn’t going to point out that I had my arm around her. “I didn’t mind.” That was the truth without directly telling her I enjoyed it and wanted more of it.
Her brows pulled together slightly as she studied me, and then she glanced over at the TV. “I missed the end of the movie.”
I nodded. “Want me to turn it back on? Or did you want to head to bed?”
She looked back at me, searching my face, and then sighed. “I think I’m just going to go to bed.”
My smile slipped. I wanted more time with her, but she also needed her rest. “Okay.” I stood and began collecting our plates. “I’ll clean up, you go ahead.”
“I’ll help.” She grabbed our glasses, and I followed her into the kitchen.
“I got the rest.” I tipped my head toward the hallway. “Go get some rest.”
“Alright.” She turned and glanced back at me over her shoulder. “Good night.”
“Night.”
I stood in the kitchen, even more confident than I’d been earlier that this plan would work. All I had to do was slowly show her what we could have.
And then hope to God she would be willing to take a chance on us.
Chapter Twelve
LYLA
Wiping sleep from my eyes,I opened the door to my bedroom and stepped out into the hallway just as the bathroom door swung open. Adam appeared, wearing only a towel around his waist, water dripping down his bare chest.
