Wanting to know everything I’ve missed in her life, I ask, “How’s your grandfather?”
She shrugs. “Still a recluse and grumpy as hell. I haven’t seen him in a long while.”
I shake my head. “And Verona? What’s changed?”
Her gaze darts nervously to my face before she flips the bacon. “Everything’s still the same.” She looks at me again, and this time, a shy smile tugs at her mouth. “When your first movie came out, they put up a huge screen on the football field. The whole town came to watch.”
I’ve gotten used to the fame, but hearing that my hometown celebrated my first movie makes warmth trickle into my chest.
When Nova places the bacon that’s ready on a paper towel so she can fry another batch, I steal one and nibble on it. It’s crispy, just the way I like it.
Usually, I couldn’t care less, but with Nova, I’m interested to know her opinion of the movie, so I ask, “What did you think ofInfinite Assassin?”
Her gaze darts between the pan and me for a few seconds, and a blush creeps up her neck. It makes her look even more shy and awkward.
Making my own assumptions about her reaction, I ask, “Did you hate it?”
“Oh God, no!” she exclaims, her eyes going wide. “It was good, and you were great, and it was ... really good.” Looking more flustered by the second, she rambles, “It was all every woman in town talked about for months. You know ... because you did that shower scene ... and ... there were abs, and your chest was all wet ... and—”
Rachel lets out a bark of laughter and pats Nova on the back. “Please stop. I don’t want to hear about my brother’s bare chest.”
“Sorry,” Nova mutters, looking downright miserable as her face flames up with embarrassment. “This is why I never talked about Easton during our calls.”
“Mmmh. Do you have a thing for Easton?” Rachel teases her best friend.
Nova freezes for a moment, and her eyes widen again. She actually looks guilty. I give her a questioning look that has her cheeks turning bright red, and she starts to shake her head.
“Nononono! Of course not.” She quickly places the rest of the cooked bacon on the paper towels, then hightails it in the direction of the sink. She sounds panicked again as she hurries to say, “He’s your brother. I would never cross that line.”
Her strong reaction hits me square in the chest, and it’s quickly followed by a wave of disappointment.
“I’m just teasing you,” Rachel says with a chuckle.
I force a smile to my mouth and grab another piece of bacon to eat.
Why am I disappointed that Nova will never cross the line?
Do I want her to cross the line?
I glance at her again, and noticing her flushed cheeks and parted lips has my cock hardening at the worst possible time.
Fuck.
I turn away from the women and keep myself busy by grabbing four plates from the cupboard.
“We can eat at the island,” Rachel mentions. “Nova, will you go get Lainey?”
“Sure.”
My eyes follow Nova as she heads toward the stairs, and I take in her slender body that’s a little too skinny. I find the way she moves really attractive, and it’s only then that I take notice of the cardigan.
“Is it cold in the house?” I ask.
“No. Why?”
“Nova’s wearing a cardigan,” I mention.
“Oh.” Rachel carries the pancakes to the island before looking at me. She lets out a sigh, then whispers, “I’m only telling you this so you won’t think she’s being weird.”
