“Here you go. It’s best to chug it fast, trust me.” Adamma hands me a glass full of brownish goo and I do as I’m told while trying not to gag. Thankfully it tastes better than it looks.
I start bringing everything out to the patio and bump into Henry.
“Are these the famous Luzu fajitas?” He smiles at me like we have a shared secret.
“Steak and shrimp, just like last time. I doubled the salsa verde though so no one has to fight Graham for it.”
Henry circles me until he’s directly behind me. He balances his forearms on my shoulders while he drops his head on top of mine. He’s been doing this a lot lately and while I’m used to guys wielding me as an armrest, the gesture from him makes me melt every time. It’s like he’s claiming me.
“Fajitas are my favorite food
I like the way they sizzle and I like the way they groove
I like them extra spicy and the salsa very green
but what I like most is the chef who eats with me”
He drops a kiss on the top of my head before pulling out the chair for me. “Sorry, that was lame. I just always want to sing for our food now. You know, in case it gets jealous of our last meal? But this may have been even worse than my fish and chips rap.”
I start to giggle, and I don’t miss Adamma’s smirk as she watches us. She flashes the slightest head tilt as she raises her brows. No one else will pick up on the gesture, but I understand her perfectly. For weeks she’s been claiming she knows something is going on with us. Maybe she’s right, it’s hard for me not to want to be close to him, especially after getting serenaded like that.
“So, I hear you’re writing a book about us. You better make me the hot one.” Graham gives me a seductive wink, followed by a purr and hand gesture to match. “Ahh I can’t reach, can someone pass me the salsa?”
“It’s not about any of you. Henry, what did you tell them?”
Preston is giving me his best impression of puppy dog eyes. “He said it’s about a girl who moves into a big house with some guy she thinks is perfect and it turns out he and his housemates are all evil psychopaths. Lucy, what are we supposed to think!?”
Adamma laughs hysterically beside him.
“I think it sounds sick,” Jayce says. “Can I be thereallybad one though? And Luce, I’m happy to pose for inspiration, you know, whatever you need, girl.” Jayce winks at me but the look Henry gives him could cut glass. What’s going on there?
“Guys, stop. It’s not about you, not any of you, I swear. It’s aBeauty and the Beastretelling, just kind of, in reverse, with vampires. It’s a hundred percent fiction, only inspired by a fairy tale.”
I feel Henry’s knee accidentally bump up against mine before he speaks. His voice is soft as he leans over, and I realize he’s just talking to me.
“Should I be worried? I know I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but it slipped out. Are you going to kill off my character now?”
“Oh my God, it’s not about you!”
“Would you like it if I were more . . . beastly?”
Our knees bump again and I pull my leg away. Henry’s definitely flirting with me. I feel butterflies playing racquetball in my stomach as I try to formulate a response.
“If you’re a beast, I’m a beast.” I say it with an awkward laugh, not quite sure what I even mean, before I stand.
“Adamma, wanna come help me make some more margs?”
“Haveyou even had one drink yet? Why are we making more?” She followed me into the kitchen and now we’re just standing at the island while I try to figure out what’s happening with Henry.
“No, I think your magic hangover cure actually made me feel worse. Maybe I’ll have one. Tequila could help at this point.”
“Amen.” She pours us each a small shot and we throw them back.
“Are you gonna tell me what’s going on with you and Henry?” She motions to pour another shot but I decline. Last night is still fuzzy and I’m worried I might have embarrassed myself. Did I honestly ask him for a lullaby? Yikes.
“I told you, we’re just friends. Nothing has changed, really.” She cocks her head and just keeps looking at me like I obviously have more to say. “Okay, maybe we flirt a little. And, I don’t know. We sort of had a . . .moment, the other day.”
I wince. I’ve been wanting to talk to someone about this but I’m already regretting it. What if I’m wrong? What if it’s all in my head? No, I know it’s not. He was overtly flirting with me tonight.
