“How beautiful you are.”
The snark and humor drain from their eyes instantly. “What?”
“I said what I said.” And I mean it too. Fuck, they’re stunning.
“You can’t just say things like that,” Parker whispers, looking away.
I never would have thought a simple compliment would have them looking so dejected, and it makes my heart pulse heavily in my chest. I’m opening my mouth to apologize when a knock sounds.
Parker and I make eye contact, and they jump up, rushing to the door. I stand, following, and when they open it, a sheepish Landon is standing on the other side.
His hair is in disarray, his eyes lowered to Parker’s before he looks up and meets mine. He’s got a blanket draped over his shoulder, a pillow tuckedagainst his side under his arm, and he’s wearing sleep pants and a ratty t-shirt.
He raises his shoulder, looking entirely too fucking adorable for words. God, I’m in some trouble here. “I, um—I hope I’m not too late for the sleepover.”
Parker stands there for a second, then slowly backs up and waves Landon in. “No. You’re not too late.”
Park kicks the door shut behind them, and Landon stares at me for a second before making his way to the couch.
He sits down in the middle of it, laying his pillow and blankets across his lap.
Parker snorts, joining him. “Convenient that you brought your own bedding.”
Landon’s cheeks heat, and much like I do, Parker’s eyes roam Landon’s face before a small smile tilts their lips.
“I wasn’t sure if you would have extras,” Landon says, shrugging.
“I do,” Parker says, nodding. “My bed is full of them. I’m a slut for some cozy blankets and pillows.”
I should sit down, but I’m much too entranced by watching them interact. Parker leans slightly into Landon’s space, their knee perilously close to his. Landon doesn’t take his eyes off Parker for even a second. The chemistry between them is electric, and I’m not even sure they see it.
I’m not sure that Landon does, at the very least. And if Parker does, they’re doing their very best to completely pretend it’s not a thing.
“Your bed?” Landon asks, throat bobbing with a heavy swallow.
Parker’s eyes dart between the two of us. “You guys haven’t had a sleepover before? That’s how Darcy and I usually do it. Midnight snacks,something awful on TV, falling asleep sprawled out in bed.” They smirk. “Well, I try to stay contained. Darce is a real cuddle bug.”
I’m sure West is gonna love that. I can’t help but smile, finally joining them on the couch. “So, what you’re saying is not only do we get a sleepover, but we get a sleepover in that massive-ass bed of yours?”
Parker’s eyes fly to mine. “Don’t make it weird, Benson.”
I hold my hands up. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Parker grumbles something under their breath about not believing that for a second, then reaches forward to grab the TV remote. It gets tossed into my lap. “Pick something for us to watch. I’m gonna order pizza.”
I’m scrolling through the options when Landon gasps, catching my attention. I glance over in time to see him whip his head around to Parker. “Your feet are freezing. I can feel themthroughmy pants.”
Parker shrugs. “And you’re warm, hence why I shoved them under there.”
They turn to the TV, not sparing Landon another glance, but he—just like me—is staring down at his leg, where Parker has their feet tucked underneath it. Park rests against the arm of the couch for a second before leaning forward.
They grab the blanket from Landon’s lap, shaking it out and doing their best to drape it over the three of us without untucking their feet from the cozy place they’ve found.
Parker growls. “Alright. Jesus. One of you help me, for fuck’s sake.”
I chuckle, grabbing the edge of the blanket and tugging it over my lap before smoothing it over Landon’s thighs. His muscles tense under my touch, his gaze darting to mine as he licks his lips and his pupils dilate.Yeah, baby, I like my hands on you too.
I pull my hand away as Parker shifts around on the couch, working to get comfortable again. “What should we watch?” Parker asks. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but no true crime. And Ben, I fear I’m volunteering you for getting the pizza duty because I’m not moving my feet for at least one to three business hours. Which means that Landon also can’t move.”
