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Hayden stiffens behind me, his arms going slack, causing my laughter to die out as I spot what he's looking at—or should I say, who he sees, standing there—in the glass's reflection.
Jeremy.
My heart lurches with excitement, yet quells with anxiety. Jeremy hasn't seen us together, and if his reaction at DreamScape is anything to go by, then this might not bode well.
I whirl around as Hayden puts considerable distance between us, something that immediately irks me.
"Hey, Jeremy!" I say, way too chipperly for the way my brother looks between the two of us, his eyes spelling out the word murder every time they touch Hayden. I plaster on a smile. "I didn't hear you come in."
More silence.
Sweat nicking my brow, I clear my throat, trying again. "Oh my gosh, is that an espresso machine?!" I gasp, the sound all but genuine, when I recognize the upscale brand on the side of the box he carries, a bright red bow pinned at the top.
Color returns to Jeremy's face as he focuses on me—thank God. "Of course, it is. I thought the color would go great with your dishware."
"Awww, you shouldn't have." I give him a side-hug. "I know that brand. You didn't have to spend so much."
"Nonsense." His voice rumbles against me. "Anything for my little sister."
Oh, no. I hold back a sigh, watching him stare down Hayden, who's paler than a ghost and can't even meet his gaze for a split second. Okay... maybe I should let them sort things out.
"I'll take this to the kitchen."
I grab the box, forcing a smile that slicks right off my lips, as I round a corner. Then, I take languid steps, all the way to the kitchen. One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three... until I'm standing where my barstools soon will, unboxing my espresso machine with the urgency of a snail, taking another minute or so to appreciate the view.
That should do it.
Humming merrily, I retrace my steps, rounding a blind corner. "Wow, it's gorgeous, Jer! You couldn't have picked a better—"
I skid to a halt. Oh, for criminy's sakes!
In dead silence, in the exact spots I left them, Jeremy folds his arms across his chest, his eyes shooting bullets at Hayden, who gnaws on his lower lip so hard, I'm surprised there's any skin left.
To Hell with the nice act.
"Have you two said anything to each other?!"
When I don't receive any form of a response, I scoff, stepping right between the two of them. "Hellooooo..." I wave a hand, earning Jeremy's attention. "Good, you didn't fall asleep standing up, I see. How about using some words, shall we? How does that sound?"
Pursing my lips, I move over, then raise an eyebrow at Jeremy's stubborn will, a teacher scolding a student.
He sighs dramatically, looking elsewhere. "Hey."
Jesus H. Christ.
Well, luckily Hayden has impeccable social skills, so I'm sure he'll—
"Hey," Hayden greets the floor, an obvious tremble in his tone—and in his knees. He's like a shaking chihuahua moments away from standing in a yellow puddle of his own making.
"Are you guys serious right now?"
Crickets.
Un-be-lievable.
"Hey!" I snap my fingers an inch from Jeremy's nose, catching his eye. "So, this was your grand plan, after I admitted to having feelings for your best friend? To just cut ties and never speak with him again?"
"Ohh, we've spoken since then. Over text."
