“No.” Her head drops back, rattling the condiments in the open fridge. “I’m too full now.”
While I’m thinking of something else to offer, Kenzie rolls her head in my direction. “Why are you sweating?”
Part of me wants to lie, but I’m too tired. All I did was toss and turn once I got to bed. The one time I fell asleep, I had freaky dreams about baseballs coming to life and trying to eat me like piranhas.
“You were cold.”
Kenzie’s forehead wrinkles as she pivots toward me. “Why would that make you sweaty?”
I draw in a slow inhale, my gaze slipping to the cabinets below the sink. I’ve been able to hide my crush for over a year now, but something about being bathed in the soft light from the refrigerator with her socked foot resting against my thigh makes me feel exposed.
“Earlier, you mentioned you were chilly, so I turned up the thermostat to keep you warm.”
Kenzie doesn’t say anything. The hum of the refrigerator is our only background noise until she surges to the side, capturing my arm like the Kraken about to take down a ship. Her cheek falls against my sweat-soaked shirt sleeve.
“Thank you.” When her voice cracks, my heart feels like it’s being shoved in a paper shredder. “For the hug earlier. For the grilled cheese. For the warmth. But I don’t want you to be uncomfortable because of me. This isyourhouse.”
“This is our house,” I answer before the higher-functioning part of my brain can stop me.
Kenzie sighs, sagging more firmly against me. “I’m going to get it together. I promise.”
“There’s no rush,” I murmur, fighting the impulse to run my fingertips over her hair. “It’s just…”
My jaw clamps tight. I should keep the rest to myself, help Kenzie to her feet, and wish her a good night.
“What is it?”
The way her fingertips gently brush against the hem of my shirt sleeve does me in. If Kenzie’s delicate fingers stroking your arm isn’t on the list of top ten interrogation techniques, it really should be.
“It hurts to see you lose yourself over someone who wasn’t worth your time to begin with.”
Kenzie makes a soft huff of a sound, almost as if I knocked the wind out of her.
“I shouldn’t have—” My eyes squeeze shut, but I can’t seem to lean away from her touch. “I overstepped.”
“No. Nope.” She’s shaking her head so fervently her hair tickles my arm. “You’re fine. All of this is fine. And I will befine.” The last iteration offineis said with steely determination.
Her fingers tighten on my bicep before she releases me with a noisy inhale. “The first step is to pick up all this cheese.”
I flip onto my haunches to help Kenzie pick up the discarded wedges. Once they’re all back in the meat and cheese drawer, she hands me my water bottle. As I fill it, Kenzie stops by the thermostat, returning it to the normal settings. She almost spins to walk toward the guest section of the house before turning back, distracted.
“Are you still willing to take me boating tomorrow?”
I’m willing to do anything for you.
I slide my hands into the pockets of the soft athletic shorts I use as pajamas. “If you want.”
Kenzie nods to herself before looking up at me. “I would.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.” I keep my tone and expression light, reminding myself that what Kenzie needs right now is a friend.
A grin slides over her face, and my breath punches from my lungs. She’s so adorable like this—hair completely disheveled, carelessly wrapped in her favorite blanket, toes wiggling within her fuzzy socks.
“Good night, Trevor.”
I nod, absolutely sure that if I speak, I’ll give myself away.
Chapter 7
