The man crossed his arms. He clenched his cup so hard the plastic started to crumple. “So tell him already.”
“Privatemessage,” I amended. “Thystle, shall we?”
He nodded and played along. “Oh, yes. An urgent, private message. This must be important. Excuse me.” We scurried away from the crowd and hid beneath a beach umbrella. When we were alone, Thystle let out an exhausted sigh.
“Holy Drake, I never want to do that again,” he grumbled, then casually leaned against my shoulder. “How do extroverts exist?”
I blinked, pleasantly surprised he used me for support. Literally.
“Even an extrovert would get tired inthatcrowd,” I remarked.
“Thanks for saving my life. I was actually about to walk out into the ocean if one more stranger talked to me.”
“You’re welcome. I was going toescortthat man into the ocean if he didn’t stop bothering you.”
Thystle smirked. “Wow, you’re darker than I thought. I like that in a man.”
A cottony sensation fluttered in my chest. I didn’t expect Thystle’s flirty compliments. Did he do that with everybody, or only me?
I shrugged. “I couldn’t stand around and do nothing while that man missed all your distress signals.” Thystle tilted his head, glancing at my swollen eyes. “That’s a running theme with you, huh? Can’t ignore people in need?”
I grinned. “I suppose it is.”
“Wow. Are you secretly some kind of hero? Or superstar?”
The ridge of my back went straight. He didn’t know how close to the truth his words cut. I didn’t let my surprise show on my face, instead giving him a soft laugh.
“Not at all. I’m just a regular person,” I said.
My body felt shivery as Thystle continued to stare. He kept searching my face, almost as if looking for something specific. I tensed under his scrutiny.
He couldn’t know, could he?
But then he sighed and lounged against me like a cat curling up on a sofa. “Well, anyway, I appreciate it. You’re the only person here who seems to care about my feelings.”
That fluttery sensation happened again. Ididcare about him. I was glad it came across.
“Can I ask you something?” I began.
“Sure.”
“If you’re so introverted, why’dyou invite all these contestants?”
Thystle groaned and buried his face in my shoulder. The warmth of his breath against my skin sent a shiver down my spine.
“I can’t tell you,” he grumbled.
“Why not?”
“You’re gonna think I’m reallystupid.”
“I would never think that.”
Thystle glanced up at me for a long moment. His pale purple eyes were gorgeous up close, like the first lilac blossoms of spring.
“You know, when you say that, Matteo, I want to believe it.”
I smiled slowly at him. “Good. I hope you do.”
