Page 125 of Lost & Found

“You even eat pretty,” he teased, shaking his head.

“I’m tempted to shove the entire half of this burger in my mouth. Stop trying to say nice things to me. It’s what’s getting us into this mess.”

He rubbed the back of his head in confusion. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Bella. I’ve been acting like a damn teenager and that’s not excusable. I know better.”

“It’s not all your fault. We wouldn’t have done any of what happened earlier if I hadn’t shoved your hand up my leg on that stupid roller coaster.”

“So truce, then?”

“Yeah, but I was thinking. I may stay back tomorrow. Today was actually overwhelming and I’m feeling burned out already and we have, what, four more days. I swear it feels like we’ve been here forever.”

He nodded and played with the binding of my sketchpad. It struck me as strange that I didn’t feel the need to yank it away from him, but I knew he wouldn’t open it without my permission. It wasn’t like there was much in it, anyway. It was new.

“Whatever you need to do to feel comfortable is good with me,” he said after several long minutes of silence. His thumb dragged along the condensation on my water glass. “I mean that. If you want me to sleep on the floor, I will. I feel like an ass…taking advantage of you.”

That made my head snap up.

“You didn’t. Or at least I don’t see it that way.” I held his gaze. “We’re both adults, Pasha.”

His jaw flexed. “I know. But we shouldn’t push things. It could get messy. And we’re friends.”

He exhaled long and slow. I couldn’t tell if it was relief. Or resignation. For me, it was the latter.

“So, we agree,” I said, folding my hands together so he wouldn’t see them tremble. “No more of…”

His lips twitched. “Agreed.”

My body still hummed. My skin still remembered his masterful touch. We had four more days. If I stayed while he did the intensive, it would keep things structured and a hell of a lot safer.

“I want to show you something,” I said, pivoting before the silence could swallow us again. “Get your thoughts.”

I unlocked my phone. He leaned closer, shoulder brushing mine, studying the image. The ocean skyline. The angle of the light. The curve of the boardwalk.

“I took this earlier today,” I explained. “I was thinking about drawing it as a wedding present. What do you think?”

He didn’t answer right away. His eyes lifted from the screen and held mine instead.

“I think Lisa would love something like that. You’re amazing, you know.”

The compliment hit harder than it should have. My girls would say it was dangerously close to praise. Shit, did I have a praise kink? Surely not. I gulped at the warmth that had spread under his attention. Then in that way only he had, he had me laughing again.

“Now give me a bite of your cheeseburger,” he added, reaching across and stealing half without permission. “I didn’t eat.”

I rolled my eyes, but it was all in fun. He didn’t realize I’d cut it in half because I knew he would want some. I pushed the plate closer between us and smiled.

Two Days Later

Things got back to normal between Pasha and I fairly quickly, which was a good thing because Kinsley had called the next day and I could tell from the conversation and the way she was asking questions she was hoping things were developing between the two of us.

While I couldn’t fault her for dreaming, it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe if we weren’t so closely knit as a family, I could have explored more with Pasha. As it stood, to pacify Kinsley, I told her I’d go out on a double date with her when I got home.

Of course, I’d have to find someone first. There was still time. I told her she could set me up on MingleMe when I got home. She was giddy about the profile and asked if she could get started on it. I let her run with it.

Why not?

No one from Pasha’s friend group was bothered that I hadn’t attended the intensive, which left me relieved. Dinner the following night had been normal, and no one mentioned game night. Which made it more possible for Pasha and me to limit our PDA effectively.

He still held my hand, kissed my forehead in parting, and placed his hand on the small of my back whenever we went walking, but it was not overly sexual. The balance between friendship and something more was a delicate one in any friend group.