Her shoulders relax with a slow exhale, her mouth quirking at the corners, before she returns her gaze to mine. It’s all I need for a wave of bravery to hit me as my thumb gently traces her jawline, and her whole body comes alive under the simple touch, like a flower shifting toward the sun.
“What’sthatlook onyourface for?” I repeat her words, hoping she’ll open herself up a little more to me and expose some of the truth I can see within her eyes.
Her smile softens into something tender and private as she parts her lips to respond…until my Aunt Andy enters the room and interrupts us.
“Olivia, we could use your baking skills in the kitchen.” She waves for Olivia to follow her.
A low groan rumbles in my chest that Olivia hears, chuckling at me before she takes a step away. Without thinking, I lean toward her, cupping her chin with my hand, and press my nose to her cheek as I speak directly into her skin.
“It sucks having to share you.”
I linger for a moment, reveling in the way goosebumpsbreak out over her skin, before I back away, giving her a teasing smirk.
After Olivia is called into the kitchen, I sneak off to hide in the bedroom for a bit. I needed a few moments to decompress aftereverything. I play a few games on my Nintendo Switch, scroll on social media for a bit, and check in with the police station to make sure things are running smoothly back home, and Rick makes sure to remind me that I need to get some information from my dad while I’m here.
I know I can’t hide in here forever and that the cookies should be ready soon, but instead of getting up, I open my text thread with Ryland.
Ryland
How are things going?
I haven’t responded to him yet, but since I have time to kill, I type a reply.
They’re going okay. I’m more than ready for Christmas to be over.
Ryland
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
*GIF of the Grinch’s evil smile*
Ryland
And to think you brought your very own Cindy Lou Who with you. She might be able to make that tiny heart of yours triple in size.
*GIF of the Grinch saying “Help me! I’m feeling!”*
She already has.
I wish there was an unsend button when it comes to text messages. It’s unfair that it’s on basically every other social media platform but not on a text thread. I instantly regret what I sent to Ryland, because of course he’ll be able to read between the lines. He’s known me for fourteen years, after all, and as I predicted, his name pops up on my phone screen.
“If you’ve called to sing me the Grinch song, I’m hanging up,” I joke, hoping it’ll throw him off, but I should’ve known better.
“What are you not telling me?” he says, the sounds of hammering and drills echoing in the background.
“You’re working on a Saturday?” I deflect as I pace the floor.
“Yeah, on Earl's cabin. I want to have it completely done before Christmas. Now quit deflecting from the question.”
I grunt, running a hand through my hair, debating on how much I should tell him.
“If it’s about you and Olivia fake dating this weekend, Raine already told me.”
“She told Raine?”
He chuckles, and I can practically hear his smug smile. “Of course she did. Girls share everything with each other. Sometimes too much.”
I roll my eyes because he’s right. I should have known she would’ve told someone, but what puzzles me is why she didn’t tellmethat she told Raine.
