Page 55 of Blush Crush

I don’t think so, why?

You do now. Come to my place. We have a lot to talk about.

ARIANA

Oh no. You’re one of those boyfriends…

My eyes snag on the wordboyfriend. It’s the first time she’s called me that, and I’m not having the existential crisis I thought I would. I’m nowhere near crisis mode.

What does that mean?

ARIANA

For a fake boyfriend you’re pretty bossy.

I snort. Rereading the text, I can see how it would come across that way. Very bossy, almost clinical.

Give me a sec.

I’ve been to Novel enough to know Ariana loves historical romances. They’re everywhere—stacked on shelves, piled on displays—and in between customers, she’s always got a paperback tucked into her apron. Always a romance. Usually with a Regency-era couple on the cover.

I think I can come up with something she’ll appreciate.

Dearest Ariana, would you do me the great honor of joining me at my humble estate on Saturday evening? Your presence would bring me immeasurable joy.

ARIANA

Much better.

I’ll be there.

“What are you smiling about?” Nora says out of nowhere, scaring the living shit out of me.

I slam my phone down. “Where the hell did you come from?”

A small crease forms between her brows, and her smile stretches wider. “Lunch with Mom. I was just going to pop in and say hi. Didn’t realize I needed to give you a warning first.”

“You don’t need to give me a warning, you just need to knock,” I mutter.

Nora drops into the chair across from me, unfazed, already searching my face. Her stare is so penetrating I think it might break me if she doesn’t blink soon. She’s always had this quality—the ability to look at you like she can see straight through whatever version of yourself you’re presenting and directly into the part you’re trying to keep private. It’s what makes her a terrifying lawyer and an even more terrifying sister.

“That was a pretty big, cheesy smile you just had,” she says. “What was that about?”

“I’m a happy guy. Can I not be happy for no particular reason?”

“I guess you can.” She shrugs, not convinced in the slightest. “But we both know you’re full of shit. So tell me all about her.”

“There is no her. Just having a good day.”

“Your ears are red.”

I reach up before I can stop myself and immediately drop my hand back to the desk. Caught. “It’s hot in here.”

Nora throws her head back and laughs—the full, unrestrained version she only uses when she’s really got something on you. “Oh my God. You’re blushing.”

“I’m not blushing.”

“Cole Matthew Benton, you are absolutely blushing.” She leans forward, eyes wide and lit up in a way that tells me this is going to be a whole thing. “Who is she?”