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We chat about Stella and the school renovations, and ideas for keeping her engaged while she’s out of school.
We do everything but talk about us—which is becoming the big elephant in the room.
We’re friends. Obviously.We work well together, and as roommates, our lives are intertwined.
But from the moment we gave into the chemical attraction between us and spent the night together, things changed. Even though we seem to be avoiding the topic.
So what now?
Ronan smacks the back of my head. “You’re going to have to tell her, you idiot.”
But what if she doesn’t want the things I do? I mean I’m a single father with a business that ties me to Starlight Falls. What if Inez wants to explore and see the world? It’s all at her fingertips. Anything she wants.
What if she doesn’t want me? What if she thinks the idea of us together is ridiculous? What if she laughs in my face and turns me down? My thoughts are spinning like a tornado.
If I were smart, I would protect myself. I’d keep my distance from Inez. But being around her is just so damn satisfying. It’s more natural than breathing.
Felix nods. “I know it might be terrifying. But everything will be better after you tell her. I promise.”
Yeah, right. “She’s trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. She might not even stay in Starlight Falls in the long run.”
“If you give her what she’s looking for, she’ll stay. She won’t go anywhere.” Mason shrugs.
“But is that even what I want?” I ask. “I could never be the selfish asshole who keeps Inez back from her dreams.”
Archer takes a swig from his water bottle. “What if that dream includes you? Ever stop to consider that?”
Mason tries to reason with me. “Look—you don’t need to make any lifelong commitments right this moment. She’s still fresh out of that whole reality show mess. But what’s stopping you from enjoying each other right now?”
“You make it sound so simple. But it isn’t,” I fight back.
Ronan nods. “Yes, it is. Stella is healthy. Your business is thriving. You’ve even got yourself a new haircut. You’re allowed to enjoy life for once, Noles.”
Felix comes over and roughly bumps his shoulder into mine. “You’re going to have to learn to let yourself be happy. Get out of survival mode, caveman. The saber-toothed tiger isn’t hiding under your bed, waiting to eat you the second you let your guard down. It’s all in your mind.” He grabs Darius by the wrist, pulling him up to his feet. “Now come on. Let’s go get this pathetic lump hooked up to a holy water I.V. drip or something.”
Before Inez spent the night in my bed, I might have had a decent shot at fighting this. But everything is different now. I’ve gotten a taste of how good things could be between us and I’m not strong enough to walk away.
As I follow my brothers off the basketball court, I come to a decision. I’m going to tell Inez what I want. And if she doesn’t feel the same?
Well, I’m just going to have to change her mind.
33
INEZ
“So, what do you think?” Karli asks once Daphne, Layla and I have all taken a bite of her chorizo and eggplant flatbread.
She’s served a spinach pasta salad, feta-mint asparagus and spicy pineapple coleslaw on the side. She’s educating us about the nutritional benefits of each dish but I don’t think that anyone’s listening. Our tastebuds are too busy exploding at all the yumminess.
It’s Tuesday evening and we’re seated around her kitchen table, groaning in harmony like a gluttonous, little choir.
“Oh my gosh. This is so good.”
“What did you put in this thing?”
“How many calories does it have? Wait! Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
Stella contentedly stuffs her face, shoveling food into her mouth with both hands. “I love this pizza, Aunt Karli!”
