“Yeah, right.” I try to ignore the way his smile is making me feel. Like I’m in a cozy cabin, in front of a fireplace with a hot chocolate in my hand. “We should talk about our plan before the food comes. I don’t know what you think, but I’m not sure that tonight went amazing.”
“Because my brother is a huge douche?” He shakes his head, and his eyes survey my dress. “You keeping that on all night?”
“I have nothing to change into.”
“You have on underwear, right?”
“Yes, but …”
“And we’re doing a pillow fort, so it’s not like I’ll accidentally wake up in the middle of the night, feel your almost-naked body, and think to myself,Ooh, a warm, sexy piece of meat for me to snuggle up with.”
“Really, Luke? I take offense to that.”
“To which part?”
“Being compared to a piece of meat.” I giggle, though I kinda want to ask him if he finds me sexy. Or if he was just saying that generally. Not that I would ask him that. “Do you think I’m sexy, or was that just a general statement?” I ask seconds after my brain told me not to ask.
Who cares, Mia? He’s your best friend. You can ask him these questions. It doesn’t mean anything.
It doesn’t mean that you care about his answer.
“Do I find you sexy?” He bursts out laughing. “What sort of question is that?”
“You just said?—”
“Is this you needing me to validate that you’re beautifuland sexy and that every man on this earth wants you?” He cocks his head to the side and grins. “I mean, we both saw that Rex was trying to get his flirt on, though I wouldn’t be shocked to find out that was because we said we’re together and he wants to take what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours. I’m not a piece of property.” I poke him in the chest. “Even if we were dating. Also, what do you mean, he only found me attractive because?—”
“That’s not what I said, Mia.” He sighs. “I’m sure every guy there tonight noticed you, including Rex. But let’s be real; his sudden admiration and crude comments coming now? Sus. He just wants what he can’t have.” He frowns suddenly and looks me up and down. “You don’t still want him, do you?”
“No. Ugh, of course not.” Though I can tell from the look on his face that Luke doesn’t believe me. “Do I want him to want me so that I can make him take back the rude words from the invitation? Why, yes, but not because I actually wish I were his blushing bride.”
“If you say so.” He peers at me. “So, what’s the plan? We just act lovey-dovey and hold hands?”
“Sure.” I nod, thinking hard. “We can hold hands. That’s not going to cross any personal lines.”
“And I guess we can hug as well,” he says. “You’re always hugging me anyway.”
“That’s true.”
“And cheek kisses?”
“Sure, forehead as well.” I grin at him. “And hand kisses and caresses. That’s sweet and romantic and not too intimate.”
“Yeah, that’s not intimate at all.”
He grabs my hand and kisses it three times in a row, and I giggle. Then he turns my wrist over and kisses my palm and the soft skin of my wrist lightly as if I’m a delicate figurine. I swallow hard as his eyes don’t leave me. I feel his tongue on my skin for a second before he pulls away.
“Not intimate at all,” he repeats.
I just nod because what on earth was that? And why do I feel so weird inside?
“What about pecks on the lips?” he asks after a few moments.
“We said that’s fine, right? Just no tongue.” I quickly lip my lips. “We established that.”
“What if there comes a time when we need tongue to really prove the point that we’re together?”
