“Yeah? You want some?” She met my eyes but quickly looked away. “Oliver, Callum, you want some too?”
“You’re a fucking dream, Lo,” Callum yelled back.
My eye twitched. Callum had gotten real chummy with her, and while I knew he did that witheveryone,I hated it. She seemed so relaxed around him, and I wanted to earn those smiles myself.
She laughed, and it was a twinkle of sorts. “Keep it in your pants, McHenry, I don’t fuck with athletes.”
“Goddamn you don’t, not footballers at least.” Dean chimed in. “No one in this house ever.”
She rolled her eyes before smiling at me. “Anyway, you want some?”
I nodded. I wasn’t hungry yet, but if I said no, I’d probably have to leave the kitchen, and I didn’t mind being here. It was better than feeling like shit on the couch. Plus, I still had to bring up the previous night. I coughed into my fist, my entire body on fire. “Was last night as bad as I’m imagining it in my head?”
She reached for a spatula to mix the mix and eggs in a bowl, and she paused. Tilting her head to the side, she stared at me with her eyes simmering. “When you said I was a goddess?”
“Shit.” I closed my eyes. “Yes. That.”
She laughed, and something soft landed on my arm. “I’m flattered, honestly. Thank you. No one has ever said such nice things about me, and it flustered me a little to be truthful, but it’s totally fine. To even things out, I think you’re fine as hell.”
She squeezed my forearm and let go, way too soon. “It’s great that we’re on the same page though. We’ll never be more than friends. And like, yeah, sometimes I want to stuff my face with all the fudge in the world. I am a slut for chocolate, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for me or that I’ll actually stuff my face with it. My mouth might water, but I’m not gonna shove it in my mouth.”
She’s talking about chocolate. The food. Not you.
My lips fell open, and she smacked her forehead. “Oh my god, I realize how that sounded. I’m not comparing you to chocolate. Well, I guess I am, but in a metaphor way. Not physical? God, this is the worst! I’m making it worse! Tell me to stop talking!” She threw her hands in the air and looked so ridiculous I laughed.
I laughedhard.
“Are you drunk?” I teased.
Her blush covered her face, but this time, she giggled too. “No! But wow, what a pair we are. We’re competing for first place in the worst award ceremony ever: the most awkward.”
I snickered. “Thank you for makingmefeel better about me. I didn’t compare you to chocolate at least.”
“Ugh.” She hit my hand with the spatula. “No waffles for you.”
“Oh, come on, I think I get some since I did call you a goddess.”
She growled. “You get one goddess comment a week, that is it. Yes, a great compliment that goes to my head, and I kinda like this confidence boost, but you cannot, in good measure, use that to convince me because it’ll work.”
“You’re a little conundrum.” I grinned down at her, my insides fucking floating from how much I enjoyed this conversation. “You’re sending me mixed signals here, Lo.”
Her eyes heated at the use of her nickname, and I made a mental note about it. It was filed away with the other inappropriate things I enjoyed about her.
“I’m cancelling this topic and moving on.”
“You can’t justcancela topic.”
“Yes, I can and will.” She straightened her shoulders as she poured the batter into the grill. “Your grandma, where are we on the notarized situation?”
“I trust you,” I said, damn well feeling it in my bones. She might terrify me because of the power she held over me, but my gut told me to trust her. Yeah, I knew she’d never do anything to hurt my grandma or me. The only person who could gethurtwas myself if I let myself focus on her and not football.
She nodded. “I appreciate that. I’ll still type up something formal so you have it just in case. Mack’s gonna help me come up with my plan, then I’d like to run it by you. I can also email it to you if you don’t have time. I know you’re regimented.”
“Give me your phone,” I said, holding out my hand. “I’ll text you so you have my number. Tell me when it’s ready, and I’ll find an open spot.”
“Perfect.” She handed her phone to me, our fingers brushing for a second. “I’m really excited about this, Monroe. I have a million ideas.”
“Can’t wait to hear them.” I meant it too. Her face lit up, and knowing that her ex was in her class and that her having the best project would stick it to him but also help my grandma was really a win-win.
