I pull back and laugh. “Did you just sayarse?”
Her cheeks flame, and she smiles. “I did, but I only reserve curse words for when I feel like they are warranted.”
Coming from a woman who rarely swears, it’s refreshing to hear it from her lips. I smile. “Duly noted.”
“Anyway, I think you should just talk to him. You’ve been happier these past few weeks, and whether you care to admit it or not, he has a part to play.” She squeezes my hands, then leaves me to finish up as she heads back to the kitchen. Her words are ringing in my ears.HaveI been happier?
Maybe… I mean, he has come through without me even asking. Not that I would, but still, he’s become a friend. I let out a frustrated groan. Why does it always have to be so complicated?
I’m tempted to text him back from his message earlier, but I don’t. Maybe I’ll do it later once I’m home, and perhaps he won’t see it until tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-One
OLLY
She didn’t show up for her lesson.
I sent her a message—she didn’t reply.
So, here I am, stalking about outside Sofia’s deli like a tosser, contemplating whether I should go in and call her out on it.
Fuck it.
I peer through the window. Her back is to me—no customers. I pull open the door, and it chimes my intrusion. Rachel spins at the sound, her smile ready to greet a customer. It falls away when she sees me.
“Oh.”
“Rachel?”
She turns her back to me and continues wiping down the—already clean—table. “What do you want, Oliver?”
Is she fucking kidding me?I scrub my hand through my hair. “You missed your class,” I reply.
She spins around, and I take a step back. “What? You thought I’d come back?”
I hold up my hands. “Princess.”
Her eyes go wide. “Don’t call me that,” she says through gritted teeth.
I feel my jaw tick—a smile trying to break free—but I tamper it back down. “Why? You are…” I can’t stop myself as the words pass my lips.
She takes a step towards me, clutching the cloth in her hand so tight, her knuckles go white. “You’re an arsehole,” she replies.
“Come on, we had a disagreement. No need to get your panties in a twist.” I don’t know why I’m trying to downplay what happened. The truth is, I was a complete prick.
She crosses her arms, and my eyes are drawn to her chest. “My eyes are up here,” she says, her nostrils flaring.
“Oh, I know,” I reply, taking a step towards her.
“Olly, will you please just go?” Her eyes cast down, her chin dips, and she bites her bottom lip.
My stomach sinks. “I’m sorry,” I say and reach for her arm. But she won’t look at me.
I move my finger under her chin and tilt her face towards mine. “Rachel, I’m sorry,” I say again, my eyes trained on her as her tongue darts out over her bottom lip. “Please don’t forfeit the classes because I’m a prick.”
Her lip twitches and her eyes soften. “Okay, fine,” she breathes out.
I don’t know who makes up the distance, but before I can stop myself, I lower my mouth to hers. She gasps, her lips parting, allowing my tongue access. It meets with hers. She tastes like vanilla frosting. I cup the back of her head to pull her closer; she reaches out and grips my shirt.
