“What’re you talking about?” She glances down at her outfit. “It’s a lavender T-shirt and shorts. It’s not like I threw on a bikini top and bottoms. And if you remember, I was headed to the gym to work out.” She tips her head and looks at me like I’m dense. “So, I had to change after getting all sweaty.”
“Right.” Shit. I’m acting like an idiot. I drag my hand through my hair as visions of her working out with flushed and glistening skin makes my throat tighten. What’s wrong with me? This is Emily, for god’s sake. “Forget I said anything.”
“No problem. Consider it forgotten.” She unscrews the lid off a bottle of water and lets the refrigerator door slam shut.
“Listen.” My mind goes blank. She’s too close. Close enough that if I reached out–
I step back and press my fingertips and thumb into the corners of my eyes and rub down my face. “Let’s start over.”
“Fine.” She takes a drink of her water. When I don’t say anything else, she arches an eyebrow. “And?”
“And what?”
“What’re we starting over? Are you going to apologize for snapping at me? For accusing me of trying to get your friend to notice me? For insulting me? For implying I was dressed like I’m easy? What exactly are we starting over?”
“God, you’re a pain in the ass.” My head pounds with each beat of my heart. I just wanted us to continue ignoring each other, but of course, she’d want to analyze everything I say.
“You’re the one who was hurling the insults.” She rests her backside against the countertop and gives me a once-over. “I didn’t yell at you for wearing a T-shirt that’s too tight or for wearing gray sweatpants when everyone knows all the girls love a man in gray sweatpants. Nor did I ask you if you were hooking up with Amanda while you’re back in town. Moreover, I didn’t ask you twenty questions about all your one-night stands back at college, did I?”
When she breathes, the fabric of her shirt tightens across her chest. Purple. Why does she always have to wear purple? It used to be one of my favorite colors. But now, whenever I see something purple, I think of her.
“No, you didn’t.” God, my head is going to explode.
If it were anyone else, I’d swear she was angry, jealous, or flirting, but it’s Em. We’ve been in each other’s lives for years. There’s nothing more to it than I’m trying to protect her from getting hurt, and she’s…. Hell, I don’t know what she’s doing.
I swallow hard over the dryness in my throat. “I’m sorry for being rude, but I’m not going to apologize for wanting you to stay safe, or for worrying about you.”
“Okay. Fine.” She bites her bottom lip and stares at the wall behind me.
When her teeth slide off her lip, my chest tightens. Her mouth is perfect. Plump, pouty perfection. Jesus. I groan inwardly. This is Kaleb’s little sister.
That’s when the night on the porch last summer rears its ugly head.We were sitting side by side on the railing after everyone had gone inside. Our legs brushed. She glanced over and all I saw was her enormous hazel eyes and her tongue darting out to lick her lips.
One more second and I might have kissed her. Thankfully I got up and went inside before I forgot my place. I’d have screwed things up. Broken Emily’s heart. Ruined my relationship with Kaleb. Disappointed Aurora. They’re too important to me for that to happen.
As the seconds tick by, the room’s temperature escalates. I should’ve stayed at my mom’s and met Kaleb somewhere in town. We don’t need to be in the same house to play video games. We do it all the time.
Just grab your gear and go to your mom’s place before you do something stupid.
When her gaze meets mine, sweat pools in my armpits. Her silken black hair is piled high in a messy bun. There isn’t a visible blemish on her face, and the light coating of blush on her cheeks emphasizes her sheer perfection. She blinks, and the room stands still.
Fuck. Did I subconsciously ask Kaleb if we could stay here so I could see her? Fu-u-ck. Or double fuck. Or in this case, triple fuck. This can’t be happening.
Chapter Three
Emily
Later That Night
As Bella applies eyeshadow to my eyelids, I remain still with my face tilted toward the ceiling. The shade she’s adding is a smoky, pinkish-purple tint that makes my eyes stand out and happens to be one of my favorite colors.
“That Spencer guy is cute,” she says as she leans over me again.
“Ye–” My two best friends came over for my mom’s homemade chicken alfredo lasagna, garlic bread, and German chocolate cake.
At least, that’s what they said, but they really came over to make fun of my googly eyes over Jake while we ate dinner and to drool over Jake’s roommate. They’ll be lucky to only have bruises on their shins from the tip of my UGGsaccidentallysmashing into them every few minutes.
“Stop,” she growls as I force myself not to roll my eyes and incur her wrath again. I don’t know why she’s speaking if she doesn’t want me to answer.
