“Hey,” I say.
Easton’s attention flies to me. “Hey. I was just coming to find you.”
“We’re heading out.”
“Oh. Already?”
“I’m ready to crash.” Reagan leans her head on my shoulder. “Ohh, we should do pancakes tomorrow. Yes? Yes.”
“Fine,” I say with a laugh.
Easton and his teammate follow us out. He buffs my arms against the cool night air when I linger on the front steps to thefrat house. I can’t help closing my eyes for a second. He smells nice and his big hands are comforting.
He studies my face. “Want us to walk you back to your place?”
My stomach tightens. If I let him walk back with me, I think I’d invite him inside for the kiss we almost shared. I swallow thickly and shake my head.
“We’re okay. Thank you. Stay and have fun.”
The corners of his mouth tip up and he releases a soft chuckle. “Nah. No point.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not there.”
My pulse jumps. I twist the strap of my clutch around my fingers to keep myself from reaching out when he retreats from my space to hold an arm out so I can go down the steps.
Ducking my head in the hope it hides my blush, I hurry to Reagan, hooking my arm with hers.
“See you,” he calls.
“Bye, boys. See you at The Landmark.” Reagan waves, snickering when I pinch her side.
TEN
MAYA
The momentI almost kissed Easton repeats in my head during the entire walk back to our place. I’m thankful for the cold air because my body is too warm from picturing his grasp on my waist and the desire burning in his blue eyes.
Reagan pauses before opening the door when we reach the apartment. “So,” she drawls. “I saw you cozying up to Easton Blake most of the night. He even asked to walk you home, aww.”
“Oh, uh.” I release a nervous laugh, floundering for a way to explain. “That’s not—no. Don’t give me that look. We’re just, sort of, friends now, I guess. Weirdly.”
“Friends who definitely want to fuck each other,” she mumbles.
My mouth pops open. “I heard that.”
“Heard what?” she says innocently on her way inside.
She makes a beeline for the water jug in the fridge. After filling two glasses, she hands one to me and downs hers.
“Whew, I needed tonight,” she says breathlessly.
“I think I did, too.” I fold my arms and lean on the small island that separates our kitchenette from the living room. “Tonight was fun. Thanks for making sure I get out of my head for a while.”
“You know I’ve always got your back.”
I return her warm smile. “Same. What happened with your frat boy?”
