“You're staring,” she whispered to me with a grin.
“You have chocolate all over your face,” I chuckled, reaching for a napkin. I almost went to wipe her face, but she quickly took it from my hand and did it herself. Our hands brushed, electricity racing through them.
“Better?” she asked, keeping her voice calm and steady.
“Perfect.”
The conversation shifted to Halloween plans, and I felt Rosie's leg press more firmly against mine under the table. A deliberate move that sent heat rushing through me.
“So, Derek, are you coming to the party?” Max asked, pulling me back to reality.
“Yeah, probably.” I took a sip of my decaf, trying to focus on anything but the warmth of Rosie's thigh against mine.
“What about you, Rosie?” Aaron leaned back in his chair. “You should come. Bring some friends.”
She shifted beside me, and I caught a whiff of her shampoo, the same scent that had been on my pillowcase since that night in the studio. “Maybe. I'll see if I'm free.”
“Come on, you're always free for parties,” Aaron pressed. “Unless you've got a secret boyfriend we don't know about?”
My hand tightened around my cup. Rosie laughed, but I heard the slight strain in it.
“If I had a boyfriend, you'd be the first to interrogate him, Aaron. You know that.”
“Damn right I would.” Aaron's expression turned serious fora moment. “Any guy who wants to date my sister better be worth it. No assholes allowed.”
Max snorted. “What are your requirements? Should we make a list?”
“I'm serious,” Aaron said, his eyes moving between the three of us. “She deserves someone who treats her right. Someone trustworthy, you know? Not some player.”
The irony wasn't lost on me. I was that someone, and here I was, hiding it from her brother, my best friend. Guilt twisted in my gut.
“Can we not talk about my hypothetical love life?” Rosie interjected, her cheeks flushed. Her hand dropped to her lap, and I felt her fingers brush against my thigh briefly before pulling away. The touch was so quick I almost thought I imagined it, but the electricity that shot through me confirmed it was real.
“Fine, fine,” Aaron relented. “But seriously, about Halloween…”
My phone buzzed on the table. I glanced down and saw Rosie's name.
Rosalie
Stop looking at me like that. Aaron's getting suspicious.
I quickly pocketed my phone, but not before Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly.
“Who's texting you?” he asked casually, but there was an edge to his tone.
“My mom,” I lied smoothly. “Asking about Thanksgiving plans.”
“It's October, dude.”
“She likes to plan ahead.” I shrugged, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt.
Max cleared his throat, mercifully changing the subject to the upcoming Greenfield game. But I could feel Aaron's gaze lingering on me, then shifting to Rosie, then back to me.
“I should get back to studying,” Rosie announced suddenly, gathering her things. “Exam tomorrow.”
“Already?” Aaron frowned. “You just got here.”
“I've been here for two hours, Aaron. You just arrived.” She stood, and I had to physically restrain myself from reaching for her hand. “See you guys later.”
