I could not find the problem with what she said. “Maybe he just wanted cookies?”
“He doesn’t even eat them. He just bakes and stares at them like they personally insulted him.” She looked at me over her glass with knowing eyes. “Also, he asked me what groceries we needed yesterday.”
“That’s normal. He lives here.”
“Riven has never asked about groceries in his life. We always have someone shopping.” She swung her legs with more force. “And he asked what kind of tea you like. Very casually. Like he just thought about it.”
My heart skipped oddly. “He was probably just being polite.”
“Riven is never polite. He’s efficient and practical.” She grinned wickedly. “He also asked what time you get off tomorrow. And which days you have free next week. He’s suddenly very interested in your schedule.”
“Emma.”
“I’m just saying. The man who barely notices when we’re out of milk suddenly cares about tea and work schedules.” She drained her juice. “Interesting change.”
I sighed. “There’s no change.”
Emma shrugged. "If you say so."
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you know things I don’t.”
“Oh, I definitely know things you don’t.” She jumped off the counter. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”
She walked back and disappeared to her room, leaving me standing there with warm cheeks and tangled thoughts.
The elevator chimed softly, and Riven stepped through the door.
I stopped mid-sip. He was sweaty, his shirt clinging to his broad chest and shoulders. His dark hair was damp, pushedback from his forehead, making him look like he was modeling for a power drink or something. His flushed face made his steel-gray eyes stand out even more.
I quickly returned my gaze to my coffee mug when he walked to the fridge to pick up a water bottle. I heard him twist off the cap, but kept my eyes on my drink.
He moved past me to throw away the cap, his arm brushing mine ever so lightly.
The contact was brief but my skin burned almost instantly, heat crawling up my neck and cheek.
"Sorry," he said, his voice low and rough from exertion. He stepped back to give me space.
But I had seen it. That flicker in his eyes before he looked away. His gaze dropped to my mouth and snapped back up like he caught himself doing something forbidden.
"It's fine," I managed, forcing words past the sudden tightness in my throat.
He nodded once, grabbed his water bottle, and walked toward his room without another word.
I stood there with my coffee, trying to remember how to breathe normally.
“Told you.”
I jumped. Emma peeked around the corner, grinning like she'd just won the lottery.
“There’s nothing?—”
“You’re blushing.”
“I’m not?—”
