My best friend little sister. And here I am, holding her close, practically molding her body to mine under the excuse of teaching her how to dance. If Noah walked in right now, he’d kill me. No hesitation. No questions. He wouldn’t even care that I’m catching real feelings for her. He wouldn’t understand.
Andhonestly… that’s on me.
I’ve always been the wild one in our group, the loud one, the jokester, the so-called manwhore. The guy who’s down for a good time but never sticks around long enough to mean anything. I get it. That’s the reputation I built for myself.
But the truth is, ever since both my best friends found real love, I’ve been craving something like that too. I’ve said it out loud more than once, but I’m sure they thought I was just being funny, trying to get a laugh. I wasn’t.
I want what they have. I want someone who looks at me like I’m their whole damn world. And right now, I’m looking at Eva and wondering if maybe she could be that someone for me.
Right now, I’ve got two options: lean in and kiss her again, or take a step back before I mess this all up.
Her lips are slightly parted, eyes locked on mine like she’s daring me to make a move. And I really want to make that move.
After a few seconds of debating, I decide that I just need her lips one more time. So, fuck it.
I lean in slowly, giving her time to back away if she wants to, but she doesn’t. She tilts her chin up, eyes fluttering shut, and I’m about to press my mouth to hers when?—
Riiiiing.
The shrill sound of my phone cuts through the air like a slap. I freeze. My forehead nearly touching hers. We both blink, caught in this suspended moment between what almost was and what now won’t be.
I step back fast, like I’ve been caught doing something wrong.
Because I have.
My phone rings again, lighting up withNoah’sname across the screen.Carajo.
I can see the flicker of disappointment in Eva’s eyes, and guilt twists in my gut. She doesn’t say anything, but I can feel it, the shift, the way the air between us cools immediately.
I mutter, “Sorry, I gotta take this,” and turn before I do something even dumber.
As I walk toward the kitchen, I can still feel her heat against me, the phantom press of her body, the sound of her soft breathing in my ear. My heart’s still racing, but this time it’s from panic, not desire.
I swipe to answer the call. “Hey, man,” I say, trying to sound normal. Casual. Like I wasn’t about to kiss the one girl I’m not supposed to touch.
“Did you book the plane tickets yet?” Noah asks.
“Yeah, just did. I went ahead and bought Eva’s too, so she’s all set.”
“Cool. Can you text the flight number in the group chat? I’m gonna buy tickets for Josy and me, and Austin and Violet want to be on the same flight too.”
“Sure thing, bro,” I say, grateful for the distraction and maybe even for the interruption.
“Thanks, man. See you tomorrow.”
“Later.”
I hang up and stare at my phone for a second before opening the group chat and typing out the flight details. My hands feel jittery, like they haven’t quite caught up with the crash landing of adrenaline in my system.
Once the message is sent, I head back to the living room.
Eva’s on the couch, quietly focused on her phone. She doesn’t look up when I walk in. The air feels… different. Not tense exactly, but definitely cautious.
I sit beside her, giving her a little space but not too much.
“That was your brother,” I say lightly. “Looks like we’re all flying out together to Key West this Friday.”
She glances up, her lips twitching into a small smile. “All of us on one plane? That should be interesting.”
