She lifts her head and narrows her eyes at me. “Don’t insult me when I’m dying.”
“You’re not dying, you drama queen.”
She sighs. “Everyone calls me that. I’m starting to think I’m in the wrong profession.”
“No way,” I say, shaking my head. “You were born to dance.”
A confused look crosses through her face. “You’ve seen me dance?”
I let out a snort. “You’re kidding, right? Did you forget when you made me dance with you to Dancing Queen after we ate those brownies?”
She blinks. “You remember that?”
I breathe out a laugh, running my hand through my hair. “There isn’t much I don’t remember about you, Gabi.” My jaw ticks. Even prom. I remember every painstaking detail of thatnight. “Come on,” I say, lifting off her bed. “Let’s get you fed before you fall asleep again.”
She sighs. “I’m too tired to walk.”
“Is that an excuse for me to carry you?” I ask her, arching a brow.
She lets out a dramatic gasp. “I would never do that,” she says, but then she flashes me a grin. “But yes.”
I chuckle, turning around. “Hop on.”
I feel her legs wrap around my waist as she leans against me. I tighten my hold around her legs and stand up, carrying Gabi out of the bedroom with her draped over my back.
“Don’t let me fall,” she says, her lips brushing against my ear as she wraps her arms around my neck.
“I never will,” I reassure her.
“Really?” she asks, and I glance up to see the mischievous look on her face, her brown hair spilling over her face. “What if I do this?” Her hands slide up my neck, and she starts to tickle me.
Little shit. “Then I’ll just do this.” I retaliate by moving my fingers up her bare legs, tickling her mercilessly, before I swing her around to my front.
“Oh my god,” she laughs between breaths as I continue to tickle her. “Stop. Stop. Okay, fine. You win.”
I stop tickling and chuckle, gazing up at her. “You gave up way too easily.”
Her smile fades as our eyes meet, and it’s just now that I realize I’m holding her in my arms, her bare legs wrapped around my waist, wearing nothing but underwear and a t-shirt, with her lips only a few inches from mine.
Her chest rises, her breathing quickening, and I can’t rip my gaze away from her.
Fuck. I can’t think. Not when she’s right here in front of me, looking at me like she might want me as much as I want her.
Her nose scrunches up, and she sniffs the air. “Do you smell burning?”
My eyes widen as I remember the pancakes cooking on the stove. “Shit.” I quickly set Gabi down and sprint toward the smoke filling the apartment.
“Jesus,” she coughs, waving the smoke away from her face. “I thought you were good at cooking.”
“I am,” I try to defend myself as I turn off the stove and toss the pitch-black pancakes into the trash can.
“I beg to differ,” she says, a hint of teasing in her tone. “I’m starting to regret asking you to move in.” She sighs. “There are no benefits except burnt pancakes.”
My eyes narrow, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. I can’t help but think of other benefits I could offer her.
“I’ll remember that the next time you want to cuddle,” I joke.
“I was only kidding,” she says with a laugh, wrapping her arms around my midsection. Her head tips up, gazing up at me. “You know I love living with you.”
