“You good?” Her eyes flick over me, then past me, then back.
“I’m fine. You heading out?”
She shifts her weight toward the walkway. “Yeah. I’ve hit my limit on this party.”
“You want me to come with?”
“Nah, I’m good.” The corner of her mouth quirks up.
I lean closer, catching the unmistakable freshened up blush on her cheeks. “You’re not going home, are you?”
Her mouth twitches, but her attention drifts past me, scanning the crowd with the same restless energy I’ve been feeling. When her gaze slides back, her eyebrows lift a fraction. “Areyou?”
I roll my eyes and bump my shoulder into hers. “I’m always home, aren’t I?”
“Sure.” She dips her chin, her smirk spreading slow and wide. “Unless you’re getting dicked down by a Calloway?—”
“Jesus, Lola.” My hand flies to cover her mouth as I glance around, catching the side-eye from a girl by the cooler.
She keeps talking against my palm, voice muffled but unmistakably gleeful, until I drop my hand in defeat.
“Walk in our apartment and see my sister getting pounded by some dude,” she finishes with a triumphant grin.
I stare at her, heat crawling up my neck. “Are you done?”
She grins, rocking back on her heels. “I’m just getting started.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Where are you going, anyway?”
She slides her phone out, thumb swiping across the screen before it disappears back into denim. “Just some friends.”
I arch my brow. “DoIneed to giveyouyour own weird little talk?”
Her brows bounce as her lips curl. “Nah, I just track you and Beck, so I make sure I’ve got plenty of time.” She pauses, tapping her index finger against her chin. “Though I have to say, I’m getting really good at coming on command if we’re in a time crunch, so.” Her gaze locks on mine, glittering with something wicked.
Heat floods my face. My jaw hangs open, the party’s bass suddenly very far away. “What the hell, Lola?”
She loops an arm around my shoulder, laughter bubbling up. “God, your face right now. You’re too easy, Bells. ”
I shrug her off, lips pressed tight even as the corner of my mouth twitches. “So this was all bullshit?”
Lola’s voice lilts upward, her fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air. “Let’s call it manifesting a delicious Calloway sandwich for you.”
My neck snaps toward her so fast I feel a twinge. “Lola.”
She throws her head back, laughter spilling out unrestrained, the scab on her temple catching the pool light. “Your cheeks are actually turning red right now.”
I press my lips together and physically push her shoulder, steering her toward the exit. “Weren’t you leaving?”
“Mm-hmm.” She plants a wet kiss on my cheek that leaves a sticky lip gloss mark. “Go for gold tonight, sis. I believe in you!”
I trail behind her a few steps. “Text me when you get there.”
She spins around, walking backward down the driveway, arms spread wide as she inhales dramatically through her nose. “Smell that, Bells? That’s the scent of possibility… of a three-way!”
A reluctant laugh escapes me. “Take your own advice.”
Her smile turns crooked as she continues her retreat. “Maybe I will.”
