This friendship has officially run its course.
“All right,” I break in before the two of them can make plans against me and pull myself off the couch I’ve inhabited for far too long. “Time to getDerek the doctoron his merry way and get you to bed.”
“No!” Arabella whines. “It’s not even eight yet. You said we could watch a Christmas movie tonight.”
I forgot those words came out of my mouth before Soren showed up. It feels like yesterday. I could blame the concussion, but I don’t want to break a promise to a girl whose parents always do.
“We’ll watchElf.” A Christmas movie I can get behind.
“No way.” Arabella shakes her head. “We’re watchingDie Hard.”
Soren chuckles, and I glare at him.
“Itisa Christmas movie,” he says simply.
“Not for children.”
“She’s right; there’s probably too much action for Penny’s delicate brain.” Soren acquiesces with a look of pity toward Bella.
I roll my eyes.
“Fine,” Bella submits.
“How aboutHome Alone?” I offer instead.
Arabella considers this. “Feels appropriate.”
I roll my eyes at her dramatics, but she’s more accurate than she knows.
“Go get it set up. I need to have a chat with Derek.”
Her face scrunches. “Are you guys going to fight?”
“Of course not.” I laugh awkwardly. “Why would you think that?”
“’Cause Mom and Dad say the same thing when they want me to leave the room so they can fight.”
Not for the first time, my heart breaks a little more for her.
“So, if you’re not going to fight… you’re going to kiss?” She grins.
Sympathy gone.
“Definitely not,” I say at the same time Soren says, “Not a bad idea.”
Bella shrugs. “That’s what Reese says her parents do.” She offers this so helpfully before turning and leaving the room. Finally.
I whirl on Soren. “You need to go right now.”
“Can’t.”
“I’m clearly fine,” I hiss. “You can check off your good deed for the year. Maybe it will cancel out one of your previous offenses. It won’t be enough to get you on the nice list, but you may be past help.”
A slow smirk grows on his lips. Instead of responding, he walks straight toward me. The closer he gets, the warmer the room grows. His shoulders seem broader; his very presence takes up more space than it should.
He grabs both sides of my face, and the world seems to drop out from beneath me. My knees weaken, and my cheeks burn beneath his touch.
His eyes search mine for something.
