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She propped her elbows on the counter with her fingers stillpoised on her phone screen. “You know, who gets that cute body all hot and bothered?”
She shimmied her shoulders.
A surprised laugh gusted out of me because she was goofy and sweet and kind, and I didn’t think I’d ever felt as welcomed as I did with her. My ribs clamped around my heart, in an instant adoring her without knowing her at all.
At the thought, that piece inside warned not to get close. No one could know me. Not really, anyway.
My head barely shook. “I don’t really…date.”
She made a sound of utter horror before she grinned. “I don’t really, either, since my brother is ridiculously over-protective, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look, right?”
I did my best to keep River’s face from flashing through my mind.
Because it was one guy.
One guywho’d ever had me hot and bothered.
I definitely wasn’t going to tell her that.
“Um…sure?” I said it like a question.
“Get ready for an eyeful because my brother hasthehottest group of friends.” She groaned. “Just wait until you meet them…”
She was frantically typing something on her phone as she spoke, while a flare of panic lit in my chest.
“Oh, I meant it when I said I don’t?—”
My phone dinged in my bag, cutting me off, and I pulled it out since Raven didn’t seem to be paying any mind to my refusal, anyway.
Raven
This is Raven, your new bestie, you sexy bitch. Text me back.
Choking over a laugh, I peeked between her and my phone as I typed out a response.
Me
You’re kind of insane, do you know that?
Raven
That’s why you love me. Meet me at my booth at 5 on Saturday.
Me
What ifI say no?
Raven
Then I can’t be blamed if I have to resort to desperate measures. I’m not above kidnapping.
I lifted my attention from the screen, a smile playing all over my face, a lightness in my chest I hadn’t felt in forever. “Kidnapping, huh?”
“Oh, yeah.” Her dark eyes were wide with the tease.
Air huffed from my nose. “I guess I don’t have much of a choice then,” I relented, though I was feigning the annoyance.
It felt…good. Good talking to someone. Good to be a part of something. Good that I didn’t have to be completely alone.
