“I told him what I wanted, but he drew everything himself and added in all the filler stuff, like the stardust and flowers.”
“It must’ve taken a long time to finish.”
I shrugged.
He smiled and relaxed into the couch.
“So, Cole…you guys seemed comfortable. Have you been friends long?”
I bit back a smile, watching him study me. “Are you jealous?”
“No,” he said quickly. “Maybe. It’s just an observation. I’ve never seen you interact with anyone outside of my family. You just didn’t seem to mind the fact that he was touching you, or Lottie for that matter. You just seem…comfortable with them is all.”
I laughed softly, shaking my head. “We’ve been friends about two years. And it’s not just Lottie and Cole I guess.”
“Who else is there?” he asked, holding my gaze.
“So, there’s Lottie, the blonde you met at Grip Lap. She was the first friend I made when I moved here. It, uh, wasn’t too different to how I became friends with you guys. She kinda forced her way into my life. And once we had gotten close-ish we started to hang out with her husband, Mason. It was inevitable, becoming friends with them both, when Mason co-owns the gym and we worked together. And then Hannah is her younger sister. She started tagging along on our girl’s nights.
“We’re not as close, because she was pretty focused on school. But she just graduated from college in May and has already started spending more time with me. She’s a lot like Lottie in that regard. Although she’s got a completely different personality, otherwise. She’s more…carefree. Kind of goofy, a lot like Cole. He’s Mason’s best friend. But after befriending Lottie,they were all kind of a package deal. They all grew up together and have been close friends since like, I dunno, middle school or something. So, being friends with Lottie meant I was forced to be friends with the rest of their group.”
“Well, from what I could tell of Lottie and Cole,” he said with a smile, “they certainly seem like great friends. They were definitely eager to protect you, that’s for sure. Which I appreciate, but I’m kind of thinking Lottie hates me.”
“Lottie’s the mother hen of the group. But we love her for it. She thought you were a stranger that was stalking me or something, but she’ll come around once she realizes you’re not actually crazy.”
I started laughing, and Enoch’s eyes flared, a smile breaking out across his face as he watched me.
“What?”
“My friends are convinced you’re a dangerous love interest from a dark romance novel.”
Enoch choked on air, slapping his chest as his eyes widened comically with surprise. “W-what?”
I chuckled, taking in the most normal, puppy-dog-eyed man.
“Well, you were wielding a knife and holding me like an animal staking its claim according to Cole.”
Enoch floundered to speak. I laughed and shoved his shoulder playfully.
Enoch seemed to sober up, his eyes smiling, “So, you talk about me to your friends?”
I rolled my eyes, playing with the hem of my shirt. “No. I mean, yes, but I didn’t bring you up. They did.”
“I guess I should be relieved that I looked menacing enough to leave an impression. At least it’ll keep any guys from trying to catch your eye.”
“I mean this in the nicest way possible,” I said, licking my lips as the smiled threatened to ruin my stoic face. “You’re as menacing as a mouse.”
It was Enoch’s turn to shove me, and I chuckled, straightening back into my position on the couch.
“I’m sorry, it’s just you’ve got the most endearing face. With your brown eyes and dimple. I just don’t see what they’re saying.”
Enoch rolled his eyes, purposefully flashing me his dimpled smile. “So, what you’re saying is I’m like a prince charming.”
“Whatever, shitbird.”
“For real though, I’ve kinda made a horrible first impression with all of your friends. Do they hate me?”
I tilted my head, watching Enoch bite into his lip.
