She peers between us, catching my eye to give me ayes girlsmile. I shake my head, laughing her off.
“Squeeze in. Let’s take a photo,” she says.
“Sure,” he says.
Before I have the chance to react, she has her phone up. With a wry exhale, I hug her shoulders from behind since she’s shorter than me.
Easton moves in behind me, keeping a small breadth of space between us so I’m hyper aware of everywhere we’re not touching. I stare at the small version of us on the screen. His attention is on me rather than posing for the camera.
His masculine scent fills my nose, clean and fresh with a hint of musk. It’s heady. Another wave of tingles spreads through me, and I slide my lips together as his chest grazes my back.
Finally, he looks at the camera. Can he see the ways he’s affecting me written all over my face? I hope not.
“Ok, ready?” Reagan prompts.
When he steps away, my back goes cold from the loss of his warmth.
“It’s cute! I’ll text it to you guys,” she says.
My phone vibrates in the back pocket of my jeans while I’m trying to recenter myself. She captures my hand, squeezing.
“Hey, are you okay? Your face is all red.”
Oh, great.
Easton leans in to check, features morphing with concern. I duck my head.
“I’m okay. Too many people in here, I think. I’m getting overheated.”
“Oh yeah, I feel you.” She fans herself. “Let’s go find some water.”
Someone calls Easton’s name, stopping him from coming with us. I offer him a small wave, following Reagan.
Once we get two bottles of water, I run into two girls in my animal sciences class. Reagan’s frat boy finds us while we’re talking to them. When the girls see other people they know, the guy flirts with Reagan, whispering in her ear to get her to smile.
I catch her eye.
We exchange a conversation completely through facial expressions and subtle gestures, understanding each other with ease. She’s fine, so I’m going to search through the house for an open bathroom while she’s occupied.
I’m directed upstairs by one of the house members, passing a few locked doors where people are definitely having a good time before finding it.
Easton’s people watching alone when I come downstairs. Instead of finding Reagan, I wander over to join him.
“I thought you weren’t staying long?”
The corners of his blue eyes crinkle in pleasure. “Didn’t want to leave without seeing you again.”
A flutter tickles my stomach. “I was going to go find Reagan, but I think I’ll chill here for a bit.”
He angles his body towards mine. “Yeah?”
“As long as you quit trying to get me to another one of your hockey games.”
He captures the finger I point at him. I pull, but he holds it, lips twitching.
“How about I ask for your number instead?”
I lift my brows. His easygoing grin stretches.
