“Ewe…” Bella wrinkles her nose. “Put those away before you scare everyone.”
“I’m sorry.” His eyes dance brighter. “I didn’t mean to overshadow everyone.”
“You’re an idiot.” Dominic elbows Xavier in the gut.
“Let’s get something to eat.” I sling my arm around Ruby’s shoulders. “I had no idea having you for a neighbor would have such perks.”
Emily steps into the threshold, and I freeze in place as her eyes fly over the two of us together before darting her attention around the rest of the room, which feels smaller than it should with this many people in it.
“Hey, Em.” Xavier gives me a quick look as if to say, ‘Put your fucking arm down before the room explodes, and we have to start over again’. He strides to Emily’s side. “Help us decide on a room color.”
I drop my arm to my side and step away. Ruby is a cool girl, but I’ve never thought of her as a dating prospect.
“I said blue,” Ben says as the tension in the room feels taut as a bow string.
It was fine when there was only male energy in the room, but there’s too much tension in the room now. Dominic is glaring at Xavier, who had his arm around Bella. Ben and Sam are glaring at Xavier and Dominic as the two men sniff around their sister. My hands are balled into fists because Xavier now has his arm around Emily’s shoulders.
Sam fans a handful of paint swatches like he’s getting ready to deal cards. Ruby stands by the window with her gaze flicking between Emily and me every few seconds. Clearly, everyone knows that we’re like oil and water when we’re together.
“Emily isn’t boring enough to agree with blue.” Sam braces his hands on his hips, stretching the fabric of his black T-shirt across his chest. “I’m for team black.”
“I think I’ll go for white.” I drag a hand through my hair.
“White?” Emily’s gaze snaps to me. “That seems a little boring for a romp room.”
“Romp room?” My jaw flexes. I know what she means, but I want her to say it.
She shrugs. “You know… A place where you bring all the girls you…” Her hand circles vaguely in the air. “Entertain.”
Sam snorts.
Emily wrinkles her nose. “Maybe black fits the vibe better. More mysterious.” Her gaze flicks to mine for a split second before sliding away just as quickly.
Sam grins. “I mean… she’s not wrong. Back in high school Jake had a bit of a reputation.”
A couple of the guys chuckle. I don’t. Of course. After everything I said the other day, she still thinks I’m that kid back in high school.
My fingernails dig into my palms before I force my hands to relax and cross them over my chest. “What exactly does that comment mean?”
Emily blinks like she didn’t expect me to push back. “It was a joke. You do have handcuffs.” Her voice is quieter with every word she says. “Every good police officer does, right?”
“That’s enough.” The words scrape out between my clenched teeth. “You don’t know anything about me if that’s what you think.”
She swallows as a blotchy red tint climbs up her neck, but instead of backing down she squares her shoulders. “I just assumed the city was more your speed. More excitement. More… options.”
Something in my chest snaps. Of course she thinks that. After everything.
After all those nights at her parents’ house, sitting shoulder to shoulder on their couch while we watched terrible horror movies and passed a bowl of popcorn back and forth.
After every time I walked her home because it was dark and she hated the alley behind the bakery.
She still thinks I’m that guy.
“Emily…” Bella shakes her head, disgust written across her features. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but that’s going too far.”
I clear my throat. “Let me speak.”
“Right. Sure.” Bella steps back, giving me the floor while the rest of the room shifts awkwardly. Everyone looks ready to bolt.
