“What aboutTheHunger Games?” I try. “I make a mean Katniss.”
Soren raises a brow. “Would that make me the bread boy or the hunter?”
“You did make us breakfast,” Bella offers so helpfully.
“I was thinking more of Cato. I could shoot an arrow at him.”
Soren looks at me, the tiniest hint of concern in his dark eyes. “Surely bows and arrows can’t be found in this penthouse?”
I shrug, letting him come to his own conclusions.
“We’ll go a different direction,” Bella says. “Warm Bodies.”
I’m not partial to zombies, but I guess it could be worse. “Easy peasy. You run through the house while I try to kill you,” I say to Soren.
“No, I’m thinking of the water scene,” Bella says.
Soren looks confused.
“The one at the end. When she turns him into a human with her kiss.” She blinks her eyes dramatically as if it will help get her point across. “And then he gets shot.”
There’s something seriously wrong with this girl. But if death is what she’s searching for…
“What aboutA Quiet Place, the scene where John Krasinski tragically dies?” I clasp a hand to my chest trying to sell it for all I’m worth. “Broke me.”
Soren stalks around the room until he’s directly behind my chair. “Are you scared,Penny?”
“Not at all.” But my voice squeaks, giving me away.
He leans down until his lips nearly brush my ear. “Then kiss me and don’t feel a thing.”
My stomach tumbles.
I fear I’m already down for the count.
Chapter 19
Soren
Wearestandingatthe second-floor railing, overlooking the living room and our one-person audience below.
The little dictator—I mean director—made us watch the movie clip three times, then gave us five minutes to “get in the zone.”
Maya scurried out of the room, banged some things around in the kitchen, then came back, looking a little more at ease at the thought of kissing me.
I had a staring contest with Bella. She may not have known that’s what we were playing, but I could barely do anything else. The thought of kissing Maya has my stomach in knots. Preferably, I’d like to kiss her without the attention of a nine-year-old. But sacrifices must be made to get what we want, and if there’s one thing I’ve wanted for the last eighteen hours, it’s this. Or rather, the perfect excuse to kiss her… and then walk away again.
Because Ican’t stay.
We both know that.
She was right earlier; our past is long gone. There’s nothing tying us together, except this inexplicable tug at my soul to be near her. I mentally severed that tug while also winning a staring contest.
I've shut down every piece of my heart that longs for more, icing myself out from feeling anything for her.
I almost allowed myself to tell her everything. Thank goodness Bella intervened when she did. If I start to confess, I don’t know where I’ll stop, and I’ll risk falling for Maya all over again.
This will be good. One kiss to clear my system and desires for her, then get back on track. If anything is inevitable here, it’s that I’ll get that painting.
